Illinois Commerce Commission Orders Rail Crossing at Walter Strawn in Elwood Closed
The Illinois Commerce Commission ruled today that the rail crossing at Walter Strawn Road and Route 53 must be closed. Video of closed Walter Strawn Drive in Elwood: The Village of Elwood released the following press release after the ruling: "After a year-long battle, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) unanimously ruled today that the state’s most dangerous rail crossing, located at Route 53 and Walter Strawn Drive in the Village of Elwood, must be closed within two weeks, no later than January 28th, 2015. Joining the Village in support of closing the crossing have been the Illinois Department of Transportation, Union Pacific Railroad, and staff at the Illinois Commerce Commission – the agency that governs rail crossing safety across Illinois. The decision came despite the efforts of intermodal facility owner CenterPoint Properties, which argued to keep the crossing open despite the myriad of safety concerns. “Despite the special interests and clout, justice h