With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
This Metrolink Crossing Is The Bomb: Proximity To Propane Company Prompts $6M Upgrade
Photo by R.E.~ via LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
()
Metrolink's riskiest crossing is getting a $6 million upgrade after the Glendale locale on Doran Street ranked number one out of 312 locations for risk and in the top eight for accidents, reports NBC Local.
The adjacent propane company, a "heavy flow of tanker trucks," and vehicles that stop illegally on the tracks give that Metrolink crossing, with about 90 high speed trains travelling through per day, the potential for a highly explosive situation, notesthe Glendale News-Press. In January alone, railroad authorities and Glendale police cited two pedestrians for walking in the railroad right-of-way and 28 motorists for stopping in the crossing.
"If one of those propane trucks gets stuck," said Sherita Coffelt, a Metrolink spokeswoman, "you'll have a bomb sitting there." The commuter railroad, which has more than 500 miles of track and serves six Southern California counties, will pay for the improvements with money earmarked last week by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.
Best of LAist