BY JOHN REED LEADER EDITOR
KNOX — Mayor Rick Chambers wants the public’s opinion on a request from Norfolk Southern (NS) Railroad to close several crossings in Knox — an issue which comes up every few years.
Among those the railroad would like to see closed are one at an alley to the NIPSCO substation between Main and Shield streets, along with the Bower Street crossing. Williams Street also was suggested for closure.

Tom Sharp, the Norfolk Southern manager of grade crossing safety, and a representative from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) attended the Aug. 26 Knox City Council meeting in what was obviously a negotiation attempt.
Sharp said NS wants crossings closed which are near to each other because of a new electronic system which triggers gates to close. If crossings are too close together, the signals don’t function properly, he said.
Sharp explained there is a “corridor project” from Fort Wayne to the Illinois border. “We are looking at every crossing, figuring out where we can make safety improvements.”
“Norfolk Southern is prepared to give the city incentive funds for closing the crossings,” Sharp said. That payment would be $65,000, and Sharp said INDOT would also give the city money, possibly $50,000. Railroad money could be put to use however the city desired, and INDOT money could go into street improvements.
Sharp went on to explain that some intersections would receive major safety improvements, meaning crossing gates and flashing lights, at a cost of roughly $250,000. Those intersections include John, Pearl, Main, Shield and Portland streets. Funds would come from the federal government with NS paying 25 percent.
“I’d really like to see Bower and the alley closed,” Sharp said.
Sharp also put some “”teeth” into the negotiations. “If I can’t, or don’t believe, we can make any headway (on the closings), my only other option is to file with the (federal) Public Utility Commission for forced closures.”
Sharp said he had no information on a Chicago Tribune story which reported “monster trains” of two miles in length were being planned. The Tribune article did not mention Norfolk Southern Railroad.
The proposal did not draw council support.
“It seems like the citizens of Knox have to inconvenience ourselves for the benefit of Norfolk Southern,” Councilman Ron Parker said. “As small as our community is, I think you’re going to have a hard time getting those crossings closed.
Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston protested the proposed closings, especially at Williams Street.
Greg Matt, Building Administrator, suggested there needs to be real data before a decision is made. “We need to look at traffic counts.”
More housing is expected to be built in the Williams Street area.
Residents wishing to express their opinions should attend the next City Council meeting, on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.