Kalamazoo begins process with MDOT to close train crossings

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — The Kalamazoo City Commission has voted to enter negotiations with the Michigan Department of Transportation to get safety incentives to close three railroad crossings.

MDOT said it’s not a negotiation, but rather an application process as part of their Local Grade Crossing program. After an evaluation of the crossing, MDOT provides cash incentives ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 for local road authorities to permanently close the roadway on both sides of a crossing, according to MDOT .

Once the process is complete in Kalamazoo, two-way car traffic will be stopped over Water Street, Elm Street and the Elm Crossover, between Main Street and Kalamazoo Avenue. According to city documents, the move could generate $250,000 for each crossing on top of additional federal funding.

Part of Monday’s meeting packet also mentioned the potential elimination of a track that goes through downtown as well as relocating the Grand Elk rail yard near the east side of the city.

City officials said this is part of a much larger traffic improvement plan.

The payments are part of a federal program aiming to help reduce the number of street-railroad, or grade crossings by 25% nationwide, a goal of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Transportation leaders said some of the benefits of closing the crossings include reducing the risk of train and vehicle crashes as well as reducing traffic speeds in new cul-de-sacs.

As the city officials press for traffic improvements, they say community engagement will be part of the process.

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