County wants fines increased against railroads
1/20/2012
CHRIS HUNTER
Saline County Commission Chairman Jerry Fowler told area legislators and county officials Friday that he wants the state to look into strengthening fines against railroads that don’t improve their railroad crossings.
Fowler’s complaint comes after the county in October had a problem with KYLE Railroad regarding the repair of a crossing along Old Highway 40 near Solomon.
Under current state law, a railroad can be fined $5 a day up to $50 for not repairing crossings. The law was passed in 1923, and Fowler said the maximum $50 fine is not worth counties pursing.
"If you want to press charges against them, it costs $500 for the paperwork," Fowler said after the meeting. "You have to fight them to get the railroad repaired."
Fowler said he wants legislators to look at increasing the fines to $500 a day and up to $50,000.
For more on the county's problem with railroad crossings, read reporter Chris Hunter's story in Saturday's Salina Journal.
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