City fines train operator for blocking traffic | savannahnow.com

The city of Savannah — with the help of a surveillance camera — has begun enforcing a local ordinance meant to stop trains from backing up traffic for excessive periods of time.

A citation, which could include a fine of up to $500, was issued against a train operator, Golden Isles Terminal Railroad, for blocking vehicles on President Street last month for more than the 10 minutes allowed by city ordinance.

The 17-minute traffic blockage at about 2 p.m. on Oct. 14 was confirmed by reviewing video from a surveillance camera after the city received a complaint about the incident, said city spokesman Bret Bell.

Golden Isles works hard to stay within the 10 minutes allowed to minimize traffic disruptions, company spokesman Michael Williams said in an email.

“While it can be frustrating to wait in traffic as a train moves back and forth in the crossing, I assure you that the crew is doing all they can to safely complete the task and clear the crossing as soon as possible,” Williams said.

The city and Golden Isles reached an informal agreement in 2007 not to “switch cars” from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., but it still happens occasionally, Bell said.

Federal and state laws prohibit the city from adopting the rush-hour restriction into law, but they do allow for the city’s 10-minute limit on blocking traffic, Bell said.

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