(Crestwood, Kentucky – January 25, 2021)
A semi driver was seriously injured on Monday at about 8:30 am after his tractor trailer was struck by a CSX freight train. The collision occurred at a dangerous, severely humped crossing near Highway 146 in Crestwood, Oldham County, Kentucky. The tractor trailer became stuck on the crossing and was subsequently struck by the CSX train.
The crossing is known to be one of the most dangerous and problematic railroad crossings in the county. According to local first responders, there are dozens of trucks every year who become high centered at this severely inclined, humped crossing.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has recommended closing the humped crossing, but local business owners are concerned this could negatively affect their businesses. The alternative approach to closing the crossing would be for CSX to stop raising its tracks and remediate the humped nature of the crossing it contributed too.
Photographs of the crossing show several asphalt patches leading up to the crossing. These patches are likely placed by CSX or its contractors after performing railroad track maintenance. Overtime, these asphalt patches contribute to increasing the severity of the incline or humped nature of the crossing. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has previously made recommendations following another CSX train collision at a humped crossing to stop raising crossing during track maintenance and inform local governments when track work does raise crossing approaches.