The rail crossing at Ferry Street in Anoka, where four young people were killed in a horrific 2003 car-train crash, again became a concern when the crossing gates recently remained down for about two hours.
But the Jan. 12 malfunction of the system operating the gates and lights was merely a matter of inconvenience, not a safety issue.
A section of the road was blocked, forcing drivers to turn around, while a Burlington Northern Santa Fe crew corrected the problem, said Todd Arnold, who lives nearby.
The system that operates the lights and gates has since operated as intended, said BNSF spokeswoman Amy McBeth.
Over the past two months, BNSF received two other calls regarding the crossing -- one relating to maintenance, the other to switching activity, McBeth said.
After an 8 1/2-year legal battle, relatives of the four young people killed at the crossing received $29.1 million last year from BNSF in a settlement.
PAUL LEVY
