By Gina Morton
RIVERSIDE — The fate of a railroad crossing that many borough residents have fought to keep open will be determined Dec. 7.
Riverside borough council will vote on the crossing at their next meeting.
“There is nothing new with the railroad, and nothing new with PennDOT,” said council president Peter Fleming Monday night.
The council has delayed voting on the crossing closure since June in an attempt to gather information as to whether any funding is available to place crossing signals at the Avenue E railroad crossing.
At the council’s meeting earlier this month, one resident told the council if they decide to close it, the residents will request a meeting with the Public Utilities Commission.
Solicitor Joe Michetti told the council the residents could appeal their decision. The appeal could lead to a meeting in Harrisburg with the PUC, where an independent judge may preside over the case and ultimately determine if the crossing should be closed.
Currently, the Avenue E crossing remains unprotected and officials said up to 10 trains a day pass through the spot at 40 miles per hour.
Officials have said they have great concern for both drivers and pedestrians at the area.
Canadian Pacific Railroad has offered the borough $7,500 to use as it wants to close the crossing, and PennDOT has said another $7,500 may be possible for the borough to use toward safety if it closes the area.
Street and Sewer Superintendent Don Shobert is also looking for approved materials to use as a barrier at the closed Avenue F crossing, to replace the current concrete barrier.
