Columbia County, Oregon decided to thoroughly investigate the railroads and rail crossings and came up with a huge list of needed improvements. While any time railroad safety needs are being addressed is a good time, it is sad that the railroad companies themselves, who are making profits off of using these lands, are not spending any of their money on these improvements. They leave it up to the public.

This study concludes by advising members of the public to contact their political authorities - but also admits that this might not help all that much. The public, particularly smaller communities, has a much harder time coming up with the funding to implement necessary safety improvements than they would if they railroads would offer to work with them. But - and we're seeing this again and again - they refuse to lift a finger.

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