Everyone who is planning or more importantly making the decisions regarding the County development of the Packerton Yard has overlooked the most important item/issue; namely SAFETY.

Consider a 100-car freight train moving through the Packerton Yard at approximately 25 miles per hour. Simultaneously, a death- threatening injury occurs at an industrial/commercial business which is located on the river side of the present location of the tracks on which the freight train is traveling. When an accident occurs, minutes and seconds for medical personnel and equipment to reach the injured person/persons are crucial. First responders having to wait for the freight train to clear the crossings can decide whether or not the injured will survive.

This disaster-waiting-to-happen is totally avoidable. Ask any railroad accident investigator and he/she will tell you the majority of collisions of trains with vehicles occur at grade crossings. Some drivers in a hurry think they can beat and will attempt to race oncoming trains to the crossing. Many times this results in serious injury and death to the impatient drivers.

At present, two crossings are planned at the present location of the tracks, each of which will cost $500,000, according to information I have seen/heard on/in the news media. This adds up to a total cost of one million dollars, which would be better spent constructing a new set of tracks along the river through the Packerton yard, to replace the tracks at their present location. Following this course of action no grade crossings would be needed.

I am sure the railroad company will be elated if no grade crossings are needed. Operations in the yard would be improved. Trains would not have to be broken apart a the crossings while cars sit in the yard waiting to be moved again. There would be no longer any need for concern with delivery and employee vehicles moving on and off of the developed property. Any business considering locating in the Packerton Yard will be sure to look at these safety considerations. .

Lehighton Borough Council members, Mahoning Township supervisors, Carbon County Commissioners, Representative Heffley, and Senator Yudichak need to get together with the railroads and discuss the cost of completing relocation of the tracks. It is of primary importance and it can be done without any disruption of rail service. I am surprised that the railroad companies did not propose this relocation of the tracks rather than the construction of grade crossings at earlier negotiations.

Elected officials—the time is now to lead and do what is needed for the safety of "we the people". We have directed/mandated you to make the best decisions on our behalf.

Gerald "Jerry" Strubinger,
Lifelong citizen of our
beloved Carbon County