In the other cities they have a train policy where they dont allow them to run during certain times of the day due to traffic increase. I just got home from picking my son up from school I have to cross the tracks to get there and back. There was a train parked on the tracks that had been there over an hour this is at the time when everyone is getting out of school off work etc. Then line extended from the underpass all the way back to the 2400 block of main and on the other side the left turning stop light area only stayed green for about 30seconds there was a line on montana ave to main almost backed up to the 4 way stop on leighton. If the train were to have chosen non busy times anywhere after 8am and before 2pm there would be no problem this issue has gone on many many years ive lived here for 39 years but traffic has never been as bad as it is now so this issue really needs to be addressed. .. to anyone who cares about miles city...

Pretty sure that's why there is an underpass...just saying!

Welcome to Miles City and the BNSF. If coal and oil kick up as anticipated, it will get worse. As long as you don't drive a giant truck and the rain isn't pouring down, the underpass/subway is the way to.

I think there was a problem and had an emergency stop.

This was a REAL problem today EVEN with the underpass. Not ALL semi-trucks can UTILIZE the underpass - the back up today affected more than a half-dozen semis - not to mention the school buses!!

This usually does not happen that bad. Perhaps there was an unusual reason for the train to have to stop, in which case we should be able to understand things happen.

While it is a major pain in the rear, it is important to remember many people in our community are relying on that same railroad to keep working. It moves alot of things in, out and through our area, and reducing traffic would surely slow down production and/or shipping of coal from Colstrip. That would affect many more families.

Suppose that's why we have so many railroad crossings! I've lived here all my life and when I'm driving on either side of town...I LOOK to see if a train is blocking the tracks if it is...then I determine which crossing I should take...my goodness if it takes 2 more minutes to drive to the next crossing! Only once have I ever seen every crossing blocked besides the very end one on Valley Drive East! Don't cry over spilled milk! And remember BNSF is surely NOT going to change their scedule to fit yours!

Skye,
Were you awake today?
I don't think you know what Donald is talking about. All the crossings west of the underpass were blocked.

My favorite is getting stuck between Quala Wash(out by Brush Truck Repair) and then a BNSF comes either east- or westbound!

I think there have been some major efforts made to reduce the flooding at the underpass and to reduce the number of oversize trucks entering
(and getting stuck) in the underpass. I hope to focus on the positive.

the back up today affected more than a half-dozen semis

Somewhere between 6 and 12 semis!?! Nooooooo! Gas is going to shoot up another dollar because all those wheels of the economony stopped turning.

I was wondering why the two police officers that drove by Main and Montana didn't stop and direct the traffic. Only one vehicle could get through the light from Montana before it turned red. Traffic was backed up to Sacred Heart School. All the kids were crossing the street at the underpass since that was the ONLY place to cross. I saw very few cars and trucks actually stop to let them by. I am very surprised if there wasn't an accident.

There were two police officers directing traffic east of the underpass.

This happens quite regularly out in the Valley, where both crossings are blocked, sometimes for more than an hour at a time. Unfortunately, more than being inconvenient for our employees spending their time sitting at a train, it is a safety concern for anyone who would need medical attention that side of the crossing and is unable to get it in a timely fashion because an ambulance cannot get to them quickly.

The recourse is to call the Sheriff's Office, as a train has a limited amount of time by law that they can block all of the crossings, but their only option is to give a ticket to the engineer, which the railroad will not pay, and no one will pursue. Basically, it's a waste of everyone's time.

Denise, I'm only asking because I'm unclear on this. I thought that umblances and fire trucks could only take the underpass because of this very reason? I may be wrong, but I can't remember ever seeing one of them cross the tracks.

Cubby, I'm talking about out in the Valley, should an emergency vehicle need to cross the tracks from the highway, let's say on to Wyttenhove Lane, for example.

The new fire truck cannot fit under the underpass. In emergency, they do have the authority to order the train broken but they try to avoid that. Get used to it. The more coal and oil we ship, the more train cars will roll through town.

This problem is why you should support my idea to reroute the BNSF tracks to the north side of town along the Yellowstone river. By combining the RR tracks, a new east-west truck route for traffic going north, and a FEMA approved flood control structure, we can solve three growing problems simultaneously. All we need is some leadership in city hall that is interested in real progress and investment in infrastructure.

Yes, Amorette, they do have that authority, however, a true medical emergency will not withstand the time it takes to do so. As you say, "get used to it." The frustrating part, though, is that should the engineer (in my Valley scenario) either pull up slightly, or pull back slightly, before coming to a complete stop, one of the two crossings would not be blocked, allowing traffic to pass at one or the other. There is no need to block both at the same time.

I like Richards idea...all in favor say AYE!!!

The BNSF has very little concern for those of us peons who live along their lines.

If ever by chance the valley drive, leighton, underpass,10th St,8th St,and 4th St crossings are blocked you could always go around to the Jordan exit. It the Jordan exit is blocked, we have an issue.