Council opts not to close Churchill at the tracks

"Palo Alto City Council tonight (May 11) unanimously decided not to close the Churchill Road rail crossing to cars after students and parents asked for the closure due to recent suicides on the tracks. Instead, council agreed to keep funding guards at the rail crossings, as deaths have not occurred at the tracks since they have been hired, and to expedite plans for a quiet zone - where trains will not be forced to blast their horns when traveling over where the rail and road intersect."

"The quiet zones will free residents and students at Paly from the "haunting sound of train horns, a continual reminder of our tremendous loss as a community," Councilwoman Julie Lythcott-Haims said. All seven council members said they wanted to balance the safety of all residents with the possible track closure. Councilman Ed Lauing pointed out that by closing the Churchill crossing, some 714 bicyclists trying to get to and from Palo Alto High School would be rerouted an extra mile, likely forcing them onto Embarcadero Road, which he said is unsafe on many levels."

"Lauing then detailed an encounter on Embarcadero, where he and another driver waiting at a light were nearly hit by another car who zipped across two lanes of traffic to turn into Town and Country Village, across the street from Paly. Lauing said if someone had been in the bike line, it likely would have resulted in a death for the hypothetical cyclist. Other council members agreed, saying that since the track watch program is successful thus far, to not risk endangering additional lives by forcing cyclists and pedestrians onto Embarcadero or other streets where frustrated drivers, no longer able to cross at Churchill, will be speeding through."

Palo Alto City Council voted unanimously to keep the Churchill Road rail crossing open to cars after students and parents requested closure due to recent suicides on the tracks. Council agreed to continue funding guards at rail crossings because no deaths have occurred since the guards were hired. Council also directed efforts to expedite plans for a quiet zone where trains would not be required to blast horns at road intersections. The quiet zone would reduce the persistent sound of train horns for residents and students. Council members weighed safety for all residents against the potential risks of closing the crossing, including longer and less safe routes for bicyclists and pedestrians. They cited concerns that rerouting could place cyclists onto Embarcadero Road and increase danger from speeding drivers.

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