SHELBURN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — For the last week the railroad crossing on U.S 41 in Shelburn, between IN 48 and E CR 850 N, has been reduced to one lane traffic heading south. Problems with this railroad crossing have become somewhat common for the people of Shelburn over the last year.
According to the Public Relations Director for the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Southwest District, Gary Brian, the closure of the southbound lane was put in place due to concrete within the railroad tracks being broken apart.
“The lane closure on U.S. 41 is due to an issue with the railroad crossing. We began receiving reports of damage to vehicles and used this lane closure to remedy the problem. The work needing to be done is in the hands of the railroad in this instance,” said Brian.
Over this past year this same railroad crossing has caused many problems for the community in Shelburn.
In January of 2024, U.S. 41 northbound at the railroad tracks had been reduced to one lane due to a concrete pad at the crossing becoming loose, according to an INDOT representative.
Then in May of 2024, Former Sullivan County Commissioner Timothy Abrams, voiced his concerns to WTWO/WAWV about the visibly loose concrete panel causing issues for motorists heading south on U.S. 41.
At the time, Abrams said that this could cause cars to lose control and go off the road or cause damage to the springs and shocks in their vehicle.
“I would just like to see somebody step up and take responsibility before somebody gets hurt or their vehicle gets hurt,” Abrams said in May 2024. “There are a lot of people that travel this road and the taxpayers don’t deserve this at all.”
WTWO/WAWV has reached out to CSX Transportation, the company responsible for the railroad, for a statement and an estimated timeline for repairs. At this time, we have not received that information and will update this story when that becomes available.
