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Versailles administrator warns CSX track work could close crossings and hamper fire/EMS response
Summary
Village Administrator Francis told council that planned CSX railroad-tie replacement could close multiple crossings the week of July 8, raising 'grave concerns regarding life/safety' because the Fire/EMS station is north of the tracks and larger apparatus may lack truck-capable routes.
Village Administrator Francis told the Versailles Village Council on June 26 that planned CSX track work could temporarily close several local railroad crossings and create access challenges for emergency vehicles.
Francis said he was notified that CSX intends to replace railroad ties possibly the week of July 8, and that the work will close the Olive Street, Steffin Street, Center Street and West Street crossings while crews are working. He said the Second Street crossing is expected to remain open but is not easily usable by larger fire apparatus. "We have grave concerns regarding life/safety with the Fire/EMS Station being located on the north side of the tracks and no truck capable crossing available to them," Francis told council.
Francis said he has been in contact with CSX's detour contractor and has reached out to the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Rail Commission; he reported both state agencies replied they do not have jurisdiction over CSX and its decisions. He urged continued coordination and said the village has pressed CSX to keep at least one truck-capable crossing open or to rotate crossings so one truck-capable route remains available.
The administrator framed the warning as a potential immediate operational risk rather than a formal legal dispute; council took no formal vote requiring CSX to alter its schedule during the meeting. Francis also reported a series of concurrent infrastructure projects and maintenance items that underscore the village's ongoing public-works workload: a water-main replacement project on Washington, Oak and Wayne streets; a June 19 break on an approximately 4-inch cast-iron water main that was repaired with water service restored by about 7:30 p.m.; the WJ Bohman water tower being drained for exterior recoating and planned cathodic protection; and underground electric conduit and fiber installations in Oak Meadows.
What happens next: The village administrator said he will continue outreach to CSX and state agencies and work with CSX's detour contractor to try to preserve truck-capable crossings; no council action was recorded at the June 26 meeting to compel changes to the CSX schedule.
