MARSHFIELD, Wis. (WSAU) -- A railroad crossing in Marshfield has reopened to traffic.
The Maple Avenue railroad crossing that’s just a few feet from Veteran’s Parkway, or Highway 13, reopened to traffic after a three week test to see how traffic adjusted to the change. Marshfield has had several incidents at railroad crossings in a short period of time, and the state’s Railroad Commissioner is considering closing the Maple Avenue crossing permanently. Marshfield officials oppose that idea.
If the crossing must close, Marshfield would be financially better off to close it voluntarily. That’s because there would be funding assistance with the closure, but only if the city is not forced into closing it.
Traffic studies were done, and the results will be discussed soon with the Railroad Commissioner. The long-term future of that crossing is still to be determined.
The Railroad Commissioner has the authority to close the crossing whether city leaders like it or not. The upcoming hearing date with the commissioner has not been announced.