Council members concerned about NS construction

Front Royal, Va., Councilman N. Shae Parker verbally blasted representatives of Norfolk Southern over the firm's proposal that will involve the use of explosives for a construction project, according to local newspapers. The railroad is offering to pay Front Royal $160,000 in exchange for vacation of a portion of Depot Avenue and the acquisition of a temporary construction easement on a 100-foot wide strip of town property.

Norfolk Southern also is
proposing to pay approximately $90,000 to adjust all town utilities as part of
its expansion project in return for the vacation of three streets that exist
just on paper: Belmont, Edgemont and Scranton avenues extended.

"What else are you
going to bring to this community, because in my opinion, this isn’t
enough," Parker asked during a work session.

Lloyd R. Clingenpeel,
senior manager for Norfolk Southern, who works out of the Roanoke office, said
that the railroad expansion that will run parallel to Depot Avenue would help
take tractor-trailers off the roads.

"So we feel that our
proposal is in the best interests of the community," Clingenpeel said.

However, as the proposal
now stands, Parker said he wasn’t comfortable "with going back to my
constituents" and telling them that he was going to vote for it.

Parker said among his
"grave concerns" are safety issues, such as doubling the speed of the
trains in the area to 30 mph.

"The train’s gonna
be whipping around the corner and [the kids] might not see it," Parker
said.

Parker, along with
Councilman Thomas E. Conkey, voiced concern over the impact that blasting will
have on nearby residents, in particular those who live on East 19th Street.

Robert L. Zehringer,
safety director for Faulconer Construction Inc. of Charlottesville, the
contractor for the railroad expansion project, assured the council members that
every precaution would be taken to avoid any damage to adjacent homes during
the blasting process.

Doug Wickham, railroad
operations manager for Faulconer, said that prior to the blasting, the town
should tell area residents to stay clear.

"Please tell ’em
that blasting is not a spectator sport," Wickham said.

Steven M. Burke, director
of environmental services for Front Royal and the town’s engineer, said that
town staff feels comfortable with Norfolk Southern’s proposal.

Town Manager J. Michael
Graham said there were some tough negotiations with the railroad, but that both
sides feel that the proposed agreement, which includes some other concessions
by Norfolk Southern, is fair. The process for the vacation of the streets will
require a public hearing and council approval.