Road commission votes to close railroad crossing

The St. Joseph County Road Commission Board recently voted to close a railroad crossing in Flowerfield Township.

Managing director John Lindsey said the crossing is in the northwest corner of the township and is operated by Canadian National Railroad. The crossing, on County Line Road, is expected to be shut down in 2023, according to Lindsey.

He said closing the crossing is a process that will involve creating a hard-surface roadway with cul-de-sacs on both sides of the current crossing. About $300,000 in Michigan Department of Transportation funds will be used to cover costs related to the task.

Lindsey said Canadian National officials estimate it costs the railroad about $400,000 a year to maintain the crossing. In addition, the angle at which tracks cross the roadway has been declared a safety hazard.