Midwest Steel Crossing
This crossing was the site of the June 1998 accident where a steel roll rig left its second trailer over the South Shore Line
while waiting for a passing Conrail train on the far line. As shown here, the gates at the crossing in use close (as usual)
as well as the gate protecting the line not currently in use. This is intended to protect the line in case that a train comes
on the other systems line. Unfortunately a tandem truck carrying steel rolls was trapped between the crossing gates when the
first South Shore train of the day came through the morning fog. The result was death for three passengers in the first car and
the damage shown below.
The tarp on the front covers the entry point for the steel roll - the second tarp covers the hole needed
to remove the steel roll from the car - a process needed before the car could be moved.
(Since the accident a bridge has been built to connect IN 249 directly to the industries on the far side of the tracks. All
grade crossings have been closed.)
As in interum measure, large signs were added to the already noticable "High Speed Trains - Do not block track" signs.
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