Trouble Shooters: Ark-La-Tex Community Angry Over Railroad Crossing

An Ark-La-Tex community is banding together; speaking out over a problem they say has been ignored far too long. They say the railroad crossing at Latex Stateline Road, between Harrison CountyTexas and Blanchard, La. is in terrible condition and getting worse.

" You go across it very many times, you have to get your front end re-aligned and your tires balanced," Carl Shelton, a Karnack resident said. Shelton lives on Latex Stateline Road. He says drivers have to nearly come to a complete stop to cross safely. On a road like Latex Stateline, that is a danger in itself.

"If you slow down and someone behind you isn't paying attention, you could get rear-ended," Shelton said. It's not hard to spot the damage; the concrete has completely separated from the tracks on both sides of the tracks. Residents complained to Caddo Parish officials because Latex Stateline Road is maintained by the state of Louisiana. However, the railroad crossing is the responsibility of KCS Railroad. The community put together a petition with 75 signatures, yet, a year later, the crossing remains in the same condition. But by banding together and making some noise, residents hope that will all change.

The KTAL Troubleshooters contacted KCS Railroad and a representative says she will look into it. Of course, the Troubleshooters volunteers will pursue this problem until something is done.