Perry residents concerned about worn down railroad intersections

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Perry city council members are looking to negotiate a deal that they say will fix a small problem that could get bigger. Several railroad intersections downtown are crumbling, leaving drivers with an unexpected bump when they pass over.

Chances are you don’t think twice about the sudden jolt that comes with driving over railroad tracks.

“The one right here on Commerce Street is probably the worst because of all the traffic,” Perry city manager Lee Gilmour said.

He, along with council members, agree that the intersections on Commerce, Carroll and Main streets are unpleasant.

Leaders worked with the state’s department of transportation and the Georgia Southern Railway company to smooth out the rough problem.

“Those repairs include putting asphalt in and trying to smooth out the grade and also extend a little bit the edge of the sidewalk,” Gilmour said.

He says residents in passing complained about the intersections to council members, and that’s what made them take a look.

Heavy loads and consistent traffic make the cross ways “punching bags” that get worn down.

“The improvements that DOT made were beneficial, they just did not completely address the entire project,” Gilmour said.

The problem has decreased, but is still there — so council members are working with the rail company to come up with a solution.

“The first one would be to remove the material between the rails. Get them placed, leveled, and make sure everything is set there. The second would be to approve the approaches to the rail themselves,” Gilmour said.

City leaders say another possible solution would be for them to take on the job themselves. While it may be more expensive, they say the project would be completed a lot quicker.

While the project may seem cosmetic, Gilmour worries over time no repairs could mean an increased safety risk.

“It’s mostly an inconvenience and of course if the issue is not addressed it can wind up being a safety hazard,” Gilmour said.

Gilmour tells 41NBC there hasn’t been any vehicle issues or accidents because of the intersections. He says the total cost of fixing all three would be somewhere between $110,000 and $112,000. Council is working to put together a timeline to fix the project. Gilmour expects it to be complete by the end of the year.

That’s why leaders are looking to address the problem as soon as they can.