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Residents press commissioners on rail‑crossing safety and concerns about large on‑site diesel storage
Summary
Public commenters urged county action to upgrade rail crossings to four‑quadrant gates to prevent vehicles from going around gates, and expressed concern that planned diesel storage at local industrial sites could threaten the Kankakee aquifer if tanks fail.
During the public‑comment period on Dec. 10 residents raised safety and environmental concerns about local rail crossings and industrial fuel storage.
Dan Carter of South Bend told commissioners the rail corridor between South Bend and New Carlisle carries about 80–90 trains per day, including Amtrak at speeds up to 79 mph, and that long stationary freight trains often block multiple crossings. Carter urged upgrading two‑quadrant crossings to four‑quadrant gate systems so drivers cannot circumvent gates. "The 4 quadrant gate system will prevent the driver from going around the gates," Carter said, and added that the corridor's mix of traffic and speeds could create the conditions for a serious crash or hazardous‑materials derailment.
Dan Caruso, also a local resident, raised concerns about on‑site diesel fuel storage at Amazon facilities after attending an Indiana Department of Environmental Management meeting. He said vendor representatives indicated generators rarely run except for testing and suggested that sites should consider natural gas rather than large diesel tanks. Caruso warned that the three planned sites could leave several million gallons of diesel above the Kankakee aquifer and called that "too risky."
Commissioners listened but did not take immediate action during the meeting on the specific requests; the comments were entered into the public record for consideration by staff and relevant permitting agencies.
