In response to a second accident involving a truck and a Norfolk Southern train, the Virginia Department of Transportation has installed a portable message sign on southbound Route 29 in Gainesville.
The agency hopes the sign will provide extra warning for drivers not block the railroad crossing during red lights or when traffic is congested.
This measure is only temporary as VDOT will eliminate the at-grade crossing when the new overpasses are completed. (A video of what the Gainesville Interchange will look like when it is completed in 2015 is available here.)
“We are also looking into other options to enhance safety at this crossing,” said VDOT district construction engineer Helen Cuervo.
Both accidents occurred Dec. 9 and Jan. 20, during the evening rush hour at the same location.
The latest accident resulted in Prince William County Police charging the driver of the truck, Timothy Rollie Bristown of Warrenton with failure to obey a highway sign. The accident closed the road for almost five hours creating a tremendous backup of traffic.
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