For Release: Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

COSTELLO: ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION TO EXPEDITE SAFETY GATES AT MARISSA CROSSING

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is expediting the placing of new safety gates at the site of a fatal railroad crossing accident yesterday in Marissa.  The ICC's order will be made in the beginning of 2007 and the Canadian National Railroad has up to one year to install the gates. 

Last summer, Costello contacted the ICC about the crossing at the request of a constituent and requested an investigation to determine if safety gates should be installed at the intersection.  The ICC notified Costello in August of last year that the intersection was inspected and met the minimum qualification for gates and scheduled installation of the gates for 2010. 

Today, Costello contacted the ICC and was informed that it would expedite the order of the installation of the gates from 2010 to January 2007.  The Canadian National has up to one year to install the gates. 

"I am pleased that the ICC has expedited the order to install the gates and I have contacted the Canadian National Railroad to ask officials to begin installation of the gates as soon as possible," said Costello, a senior member of the Railroads Subcommittee.  "While safety gates won't guarantee there will never be another accident, they are another important layer of protection."     

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