Council discusses repeated incidents of drivers turning onto railroad tracks at Highway 120; staff to pursue striping and coordination with Caltrans and BNSF

Council members and city staff discussed several recent incidents in which motorists eastbound on Highway 120 turned onto a concrete extension of railroad tracks near a gas station and became stranded or drove on the tracks.

A council member said he had personally witnessed vehicles turn onto the tracks behind the Exxon station and reported multiple similar incidents. “They're driving on the railroad tracks,” the police chief said, adding that the concrete pad that extends beyond the road appears to confuse some drivers into thinking it is the roadway.

City staff said signage alone is unlikely to resolve the problem because placing signs on Highway 120 requires Caltrans approval and must meet state specifications. Staff recommended evaluating new pavement striping and a “no right turn” painted message on the roadway as a first step. They also reported earlier discussions with the Federal Highway Administration and that a prior improvement effort had been scuttled years earlier by FHWA.

Council members raised other ideas — including asking BNSF about a gate or padlock and exploring different striping methods — while staff cautioned that gates are not feasible where trains operate. The council asked staff and the police department to develop striping and signage recommendations, and to continue coordination with Caltrans, FHWA and the railroad before returning with concrete proposals.

Staff said they expect to return with recommendations in a few weeks to a month.