Gloucester railroad crossing causes some confusion

GLOUCESTER, Mass. — A railroad crossing in Gloucester is causing some confusion to locals. Residents say they have seen the crossing arms hit cars before. One family telling us they had an issue this week and were worried there was an issue with the crossing gates.

Railroad crossings are in communities all across the state, but one in Gloucester has some people concerned. Isaac Aiello was driving with his mother when the stopped at the crossing when the gates came down just outside of downtown Gloucester. “Finally it went back up but no train had gone by and when we got to the rails when I realized the barrier was coming back down on top of the car,” said Aiello, “it probably hit about here, and then it bounced and went eventually down to the hood.”  Aiello says his mother put the car in reverse and ran into the car behind them. “Just a little bit of damage over here and over here.”

Boston 25 looked into how the signal actually operates. Keolis tells us they did make sure the signal was working properly and explained the gates does come down as the train approaches the crossing. But if the train stops at the station before the crossing the gate goes back up so traffic can flow.  When the train resumes the gate comes back down and the train proceeds through at about 2 miles per hour.

In MA, the state law says even if the crossing gates are up you can not stop on or near the tracks. Keolis Commuter Service spokesperson Alana Westwater wrote in a statement, “Crossing gates are there to protect everyone, train passengers and crews, pedestrians, motorists and all road and users, but they are just part of the equation. We urge everyone to use caution, and make sure you have the space to completely clear the crossing gate area before you enter it.”

Ken Leavitt has lived across the street from the crossing for years and he too has been confused by the process. “Twice so far I have seen it come down on cars on the roof,” said Leavitt. “I’m definitely going to be a lot more cautious. I know my mother, she doesn’t even know how she is going to drive again,” said Aiello.

Most crossing gates have a phone number you can call if you see something that does not look right.

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