Illinois State Sen. Terri Bryant | Facebook
Illinois State Sen. Terri Bryant | Facebook
Illinois State Sen. Terri Bryant is calling for the demolition of a set of railroad tracks just south of Waltonville on Illinois Route 148.
The derelict bridge used to be used to transport coal, but has sat unused and neglected for over 30 years, WSIL TV News reported. Bryant said that the bridge is falling apart and overgrown with trees.
Bryant has been pushing to demolish the railroad tracks for six years now, ever since she was elected to her position as state representative. After reaching out to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), she learned that the tracks are actually owned by railway company Canadian National.
"This bridge is a safety hazard to Illinois motorists," Bryant wrote in a July 8 Facebook post. "For almost 7 years, I have been pushing to demolish the railroad tracks and bridge, demanding that Canadian National, the owners of these rails, take responsibility for their property. Yet, my calls for action have gone unanswered. Enough is enough. We are talking about making roadways safer and better for the people of Jefferson County. Hopefully my message is finally heard."
Removing the dilapidated tracks is primarily a safety concern, but may have economic benefits as well.
State Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) said that demolishing the tracks would save local farmers time and money, because many farmers currently have to drive around the structure.
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