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Residents ask Knott County to press CSX to restore railroad crossing blocking cemetery access
Summary
Local residents told the Knott County Fiscal Court a CSX railroad crossing has been removed or blocked, preventing cemetery access for family members and maintenance; the court agreed to gather documentation and pursue correspondence with CSX on affected crossings.
During the public‑comment portion of the June 17 meeting, residents told Knott County Fiscal Court that a CSX railroad crossing has been removed or repeatedly blocked, cutting legal and practical access to a local cemetery.
Speaker 8 described family burials at the site and said the railroad crossing used to permit vehicle access for mowing and visitation. "It's very important for, for me to, maintain the cemetery for the... people that are buried," Speaker 8 said, offering a signed 1947 contract and other paperwork he said documented CSX obligations to maintain a graded crossing.
The resident said he had corresponded repeatedly with a CSX representative (Becky Snyder at the Jacksonville office) and had been told that title and records staff would review the submission, but months passed without a substantive reply. Several speakers said similar access problems affect other cemeteries and properties in the same area.
Court members agreed to gather copies of similar agreements from other affected residents and to have staff draft a formal letter to CSX requesting restoration or explanation. Speaker 1 asked staff to compile the documentation and reach out to property owners so the court could pressure CSX collectively.
No legal action or formal litigation was approved at the meeting; the court's recorded next steps were to assemble the agreements, identify other affected property owners, and send a county letter to CSX asking for action or clarification.
