Blackfoot meeting on proposed railroad overpass

A meeting will be held Tuesday evening at City Hall in Blackfoot for public comment on the proposed railroad overpass. The meeting will be at 7 p.m.

Mayor Paul Loomis is working on a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to study what it would take to build one. The city is asking for $1 million. Loomis said if they get the grant the city will also have to pay $75,000, but he said it is worth it because of the time it will save people and emergency personnel. Some people in Blackfoot said it will be too costly.

“The economic cost would be huge whether or not it would outweigh the benefits of having it that is a good question,” said Daniel Cannon.

Other people said it is a good idea.

“Constantly, constantly everyday I have to wait for the train. I catch it at the wrong time especially on my way to work it has made me late numerous times,” said Clark Seybold.

“I think it would be a good thing because the trains are always blocking ambulances,” said Susan Pratt.

Blackfoot Fire Captain Dave Krumenacker said the trains can extend their response time.

Some of the difficulties firefighters face is in a situation where they are standing in a line waiting to get to the other side of the tracks. He said Blackfoot only has a few crossings and trains can block almost all of them.

“Our business is saving lives and we have to do it as soon as we can in a short time period. If we can’t get there we can’t do it,” said Krumenacker.

Mayor Loomis said a potential under or overpass will help emergency vehicles, commerce and children.

“It would be much safer to send a 12 year old on their bicycle across an over or under pass,” he said.

The grant will allow the city to take soil samples near the tracks. This can help determine what is better to build an under or over pass. Loomis estimates the project will cost between $10 and $12 million. He also said it could be a 10 year project.