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Supervisors approve study and resolution urging railroad to fix repeated crossings that block emergency access
Summary
The board approved grant-funded study work to evaluate alternatives at several railroad crossings (Fortuna Road, Avenue 90, Welton) and unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-02 urging the railroad and state/federal partners to address infrastructure failures that have caused repeated, sometimes prolonged, closures affecting emergency response and daily travel.
The Yuma County Board of Supervisors voted Jan. 5 to accept grant funding for a study of alternatives to mitigate repeated closures at railroad crossings on Fortuna Road, Avenue 90 and in Welton and unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-02 urging the railroad to implement a long-term fix.
County staff described cases when signal or wiring failures following rain events have shut crossings for hours or days, "effectively cutting off" portions of the community, and emphasized impacts to emergency response times, school transportation and daily commuting. The resolution documents these community impacts and requests coordination with state and federal partners, and the board approved both the study award and the resolution by voice vote.
Why it matters: repeated closures at vital crossings create public-safety risks and economic disruptions. The board’s action directs county resources to study engineering and operational alternatives and provides an official county position to carry to federal legislators and the railroad.
Next steps: staff will proceed with the study and forward the signed resolution to federal and state partners and the railroad as a formal request for infrastructure remediation.
