KINGSLAND, Ga. – The Kingsland City Council is considering a request from St. Marys Railroad to close a railroad crossing in the city.
The railroad wants to remove the crossing at Summerbrook Trail, citing safety concerns.
A letter to the City Council from the railroad’s general manager said the crossing has seen “numerous close calls” because of the speed of the train and the fact that drivers in the area “tend to exceed the posted speed limit.”
General Manager Paul D. Pleasant wrote to the council that Summerbrook Trail “pretty much ends at the crossing” because north of the crossing is “more of a cut-through at the adjacent apartment complex.”
Pleasant also pointed out that the cul-de-sac between the crossing and the apartment complex is a dumping ground for old furniture, appliances and other junk.
But residents who rely on the crossing don’t want to see it closed.
A public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at Kingsland City Hall to address residents’ concerns.
Some of those residents shared their frustrations and concerns with News4JAX over the potential closure.
“This crossing has been here for the 45 years I’ve been in this town, and it should remain here. There’s no reason to close it other than somebody trying to avoid paying the upkeep,” resident Geoff Bonnet said.
An orange sign announcing the potential closure and the public meeting to discuss it stirred up strong emotions among residents.
“I came home Sunday and I saw these orange signs at the railroad crossing, and I didn’t actually pay any attention to them until Monday morning, when I learned that the railroad company is actually trying to close the railroad crossing completely,” resident Josh Kukails said. “It affects my daily travel to and from work. But my biggest thought is it’s going to affect delivery drivers, EMS, the bus routes for the children that ride in the mornings.”
But for residents in the community, the closure isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s also a financial and safety concern.
“I’ve seen this neighborhood a foot deep underwater, where you can’t get here other than by boat, unless you came across that railroad track,” Bonnet said. “My stepmother lives right here at this intersection, and she’s getting up in age and she can’t get out of here when that happens.”
News4JAX reached out to St. Marys Railroad after hearing the residents' concerns last month and spoke with the general manager briefly over the phone.
He said they are looking to close this crossing for safety concerns as there are no signals or gate arms, limiting visibility for the conductors.
When asked why they won’t add those items instead of closing the crossing, he said the company doesn’t want to pay for them, so they would rather just close it.
Concerned residents also created a petition to urge local authorities to reconsider closing the crossing.