Mayor seeks answers with railroad delays

By Michael Butler

Those who travel along Highway 229 to Interstate 85 from Tallassee or back to it, pass a CSX railroad crossing on their commute. Lately, many have sat and waited at the tracks with more delays than the norm.

Tallassee mayor Johnny Hammock has been contacted by citizens regarding the issue, so he has reached out to CSX for an explanation.

"Even though it is not in the city limits of Tallassee I called the 800 number for CSX," Hammock posted on Facebook. "I have had many complaints from Tallassee citizens being held up by the train on their commute to work." 

The Alabama Department of Transportation does not have jurisdiction over railroad traffic, so Hammock believes direct contact with CSX is the best option.

"I went to the website as directed and made a complaint as local government mayor.  Hopefully they will call or email me back.  Please feel free to go to their website and click contact us and follow the steps.  Maybe if we flood them with complaints they will do something to help with the timing of the sand car pick up that is causing the blocked road."

CSX is a leading supplier of rail-based freight transportation in North America.