Concerns raised about train speed increase

PORTALES - With just a few relatively routine action items for Tuesday's Portales City Council meeting, it was an item not listed on the agenda that generated the most discussion.

Roosevelt County Commissioner Dennis Lopez addressed the council during the public comment portion of Tuesday's meeting to express concerns about a recent speed increase for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway trains going through Portales. The speed limits have increased from 20 mph to 49 mph.

"I'm very, very, very concerned about this. We have no activated crossing gates on Boston (Avenue), as of today no lights on Boston," Lopez said. "There is a lot of traffic, there is a lot of pedestrian traffic, every kind of traffic that you can think of."

Lopez, the county's representative on a committee with BNSF, said he would be willing to work in conjunction with representatives from the city in attempts to improve crossings.

"I just see the danger in it. I've been born and raised (here). I used to walk those streets from early, early childhood and I can foresee some really bad things going on without signals and a 50 mile-per-hour train going through our town," Lopez said.

City Manager Sammy Standefer told The News on Friday that the city shares the same concerns and has been and will continue to have discussions with BNSF regarding areas where train crossings can be improved, including three locations lacking crossing guards or lights.

"I don't think there's a lot I can do to change how fast they decide to go, so what I feel like our duty is that we're streamlining our crossings," Standefer said.

Councilor Jessica Smith was absent.

Also during Tuesday's meeting (all votes 7-0):

n No action was taken following an approximately 30-minute executive session held to discuss limited personnel matters, according to the agenda.

n The council approved a resolution to apply for $3 million from the New Mexico Department of Transportation for road improvements to Kilgore Avenue from US 70 to 18th Street.

"This is a funding opportunity that came up kind of unexpectedly," Public Works Director John DeSha said, with $50 million available statewide for road projects

DeSha said the project could be completed in phases if the city receives less than $3 million.

He said the local match would be 5 to 25 percent, with $150,000 budgeted for the project.

n A request from a resident to tie into city sewer services was tabled until they obtained a letter to the public works department stating why the services are needed, DeSha said.

n Proclamations were read declaring May 5-11 as "Municipal Clerks Week" and May 19-25 as "Emergency Medical Services Week."