OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford Traffic goes over the inactive railroad crossing on Route 5 in the city of Dunkirk, near Point Gratiot. The crossing is one of several in the city that many residents complain are in rough shape.

A Dunkirk resident is hoping a petition drive will coax action from the railroads about crossings in poor condition.

Bob Maze has support from city officials and discussed his drive at a Department of Public Works Committee meeting recently.

He only has about 50 signatures so far but hopes for about 500. Copies of the petition can be signed at the assessor’s office or at the legal department in City Hall. Maze is also circulating the petition around several local clubs, such as the Exempts.

The petition states that Dunkirk has “numerous rail crossings posing serious safety risks to drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists both motor and bicycle. Many of these crossings do not meet the Highway Rail Crossing definition of a ‘smooth transition’ and are hazardous for vehicles and other road users.”

The petition seeks “immediate action” by CSX and Norfolk Southern to improve the crossings. It calls for a review of all crossings in Dunkirk, with the city’s participation, with certain crossings then prioritized for upgrades and repairs.

Department of Public Works Director Randy Woodbury suggested Maze take his petition outside city limits, because “I think it’s a regional problem.”

Woodbury said Maze should also get county and state officials to support the petition, to put higher-level government pressure on the railroads.

He added that the state Department of Transportation used to be able to apply pressure to the railroads but can’t seem to anymore.

Woodbury called CSX “difficult to deal with on these things across the country,” though he noted the railroad successfully worked with the city to smooth out the Williams Street Extension crossing. He rated Norfolk Southern as “more responsive.”

The DPW director also stated that when it comes to repairing the crossings, his hands are tied, because the railroads own them and are supposed to maintain them.

“These crossings are not our responsibility, nor do we have authority to do the work ourselves,” said Woodbury. In fact, DPW workers are legally not supposed to work within 30 feet of railroad tracks, he said.