By By Lisa Tindell
Brewton City officials said the Alabama Department of Transportation had determined a crossing gate would be beneficial at the intersection of U.S. 31 and Deer Street, but none was erected because there was not enough space on the east side of the track.
John Angel, Brewton’s city clerk, said the Alabama Department of Transportation has conducted a survey at the intersection.
ALDOT officials continued their study into the feasibility of placing the security device at the crossing and ultimately elected not to install the device, Angel said.
Efforts to contact officials with the Alabama Department of Transportation’s officials were unsuccessful Tuesday.
Danny White, president of T.R. Miller Mill, said he hopes that the community will work together to get a crossing at the intersection.
The decision by ALDOT not to install safety devices at that crossing could have disastrous effects if other such incidents take place at railroad crossings in Brewton and other densely populated communities, officials said.
While he was at the site of the accident Monday, Adams said he saw the potential for even more wrecks.
Efforts to contact officials with Operation Lifesaver, a rail line safety advocacy group, were also unsuccessful Tuesday.