Trucking and Fuel Distribution Associations Request Federal Action on Concerns of Hazardous Material Trucks at the Chambers Road Grade Crossing
In light of today’s incident at the Chambers Road Grade Crossing with the RTD A Line which involved a hazardous material tanker truck, we wanted to share with you a letter that we sent earlier in the week (January 22, 2019) to US Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao, asking for the US DOT to become engaged on this important safety issue. Today’s incident was a minor one but did bring to light the potential risk that is posed at this crossing.
As we note in our
attached letter to the Secretary Chao, we first made RTD and other parties aware of our concerns about the crossing in September of 2015, seven months before the A Line opened. Since that time we have sought a safe, alternate route for our hazardous material trucks that transport fuel and other products into and out of the area. Unfortunately, after three years, there is still no resolution to this problem.
Briefly, our letter to the Secretary (
see attached) asks that the US DOT through one of its agencies whether it is FMCSA, FRA, or FHWA intervene at this point. Briefly, our letter requests three actions:
- That one of the above-noted federal agencies take the lead and complete the alternate route analysis along with the identification of needed improvements on the recommended route as well as the costs for those modifications and proposed timetable for action. Along with this, we are seeking clear authorization from one of the designated agencies at the state or local level to use this alternate corridor.
- That the crossing guards be restored at the Chambers Road Grade Crossing until this matter is resolved. This action would provide some additional level of safety in the interim until a solution is in place.
- That a review of the planning and design process be conducted for the A Line to determine how an oversight was made regarding an at-grade crossing for a commuter rail line over a major hazardous material corridor. Our hope would be that changes would be made in this process so in the future that problems like this do not arise on other commuter rail lines when they are constructed.
We are hopeful that with the US DOT’s assistance in conjunction with various parties at the state and local level, that there may a quick resolution to this serious safety concern.
Thank you.
Gregory D. Fulton Grier W. Bailey
President Executive Director
Colorado Motor Colorado-Wyoming
Carriers Association Petroleum Marketers
