The South Shore Line is taking steps to increase safety at its pedestrian at-grade crossings following the death, in July, of a Ball State graduate who was struck by a train at the Hegewisch Station near Hammond.
Following her graduation, 22-year-old Grace Bentkowski worked as a creative producer at News Nation… until she crossed the tracks to the parking lot and was hit by the train.
The South Shore line plans to evaluate active warning safety enhancements and take into consideration other enhancements outlined in the report, once it’s complete.
While the study is underway, they’ve already placed additional warning signage at pedestrian crossings, including the message “See Tracks, Think Train.”
More details about the study are detailed in the news release below:
CHESTERTON, IN – On July 25th, a tragic accident occurred at the Hegewisch Station, which claimed the life of a young woman; our deepest condolences continue to go out to her family and friends for the loss of their loved one.
In the aftermath of this heartbreaking event, the South Shore Line has engaged a nationally recognized engineering firm specializing in grade-crossing diagnostics to conduct a thorough assessment of our pedestrian at-grade crossings. This diagnostic report will help us evaluate active warning safety enhancements at pedestrian at-grade crossings along the South Shore Line. We expect to receive the diagnostic report within the next 90 days and are committed to securing the necessary funding to implement safety enhancements as soon as possible.
While this diagnostic study is underway, we have already taken immediate steps to enhance safety by placing additional warning signage at pedestrian crossings, including the Operation Lifesaver message “See Tracks, Think Train.” The diagnostic report may present the South Shore Line with further opportunities for warning signage to remind pedestrians to cross railroad tracks safely.
Our commitment to passenger and public safety remains unwavering, and we will always evaluate measures to provide a safe environment for our passengers and the public at large. The South Shore Line continues to urge all pedestrians and drivers to always exercise caution around railroad tracks—look in both directions before crossing and remember that a train can come at any time, from any direction, on any track.
As a proud supporter of Operation Lifesaver, we want to invite everyone to join Operation Lifesaver and the South Shore Line in See Tracks? Think Train® Week from September 23rd – September 29th, 2024. You can learn more about Operation Lifesaver at their website: www.oli.org.
