Train solution coming closer for Linden

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 3, 2005

LINDEN-For several months the city of Linden has battled a dangerous problem on their railroads. Each day in the afternoon trains block Highway 43 cutting the city in half and cutting the south end of town from emergency response vehicles.

Letters have been written, phone calls have been made and legal action has been researched. However, there have been roadblocks each time.

Tuesday City Administrator Cheryl Hall said the city had gotten a response from Montgomery in regard to the problem with possible solutions.

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“We received a letter of response from the Public Service Commission concerning our train problem,” Hall said. “He said they understood that changing cars in Linden was becoming congesting.”

Hall said the letter said the railroad company planned to make the necessary changes to ensure the safety of the residents of South Linden.

“They also said the M and B Rail Road has agreed to make some changes to change the way that is done,” Hall said. “They said no road in Linden will be blocked for more them 10 minutes and they will be able to contact the chief of police by Southern Link in case of an emergency.”

Hall said the letter also said there are long range plans to have the trains meet in Myrtlewood in order to eliminate the blockages.

On a positive note, councilmember Dennis Breckenridge said they were getting closer to adding new playground equipment to the park now that recreational league baseball and softball had wound down.

“We are pretty close to getting started putting the park equipment together,” Breckenridge said. “We have gotten behind a little bit, but we are almost ready to get going.”

Breckenridge also said the park ha remained in top condition through a great deal of wear and tear this summer. He said a lot of hard work went into keeping the grounds in working condition and it had translated into many great memories for the children who played there.

“I would like to say thank you to the mayor and council for al you have done this year,” Breckenridge said. “The volunteers have also done a super job. We have had a lot of tournaments out in our park and a lot of kids from Linden and from all over the county have been able to play out there and enjoy it.”

The council approved a resolution to formally thank the employees and volunteers who helped maintain the park this summer.

The council will hold their next meeting on Tuesday Aug. 16 at 6 p.m.