Northwest Chicago suburb to improve rail safety after teen was hit, killed by train
BARRINGTON, Ill. (CBS) -- Calls for safety improvements were answered Monday – after a teenage girl's life was cut short when she was hit by a train in Barrington.
Marin Lacson, 17, was on her way to Barrington High School when she was struck by a Union Pacific Northwest Metra train on Thursday, Jan. 25.
As of Monday night, a vigil remained in place at the site where Marin was hit and killed by the train. And less than two weeks after that tragedy, the community has moved quickly to ensure another one does not happen.
Officials at the local and federal levels have responded to calls to action.
On Monday, the Village of Barrington announced a safety plan for railroad crossings – with some steps happening immediately and some planned for the future.
Over the next few weeks, Barrington police plan to begin putting officers at rail crossings during critical times to remind pedestrians about the rules.
Additional railroad signs and pavement markings are also being mounted near pedestrian rail crossings as needed. The signs were being manufactured and were to be installed as soon as possible.
Following discussions with the Illinois Commerce Commission and the Illinois Department of Transportation, Barrington police said those agencies agreed to set up additional pedestrian gates at Union Pacific crossing at Hough Street and Cook and Main streets.
Underpasses are also being constructed to replace crossings. The village said an underpass at Route 14 and the Canadian National tracks would remove the intersection of train tracks, roads, and pedestrian paths.
Federal funding has also been secured for an underpass to replace the grade crossing at Main Street and the CN tracks – where many Barrington High School students cross, the village said.
The village said Barrington Community Unit School District 220 is also reviewing its rail safety education practices.
The village said these are just some of the safety projects they are planning – and they have asked residents to continue advocating for more funding to help make such projects happen.
When Marin was struck and killed by the train last month, witnesses said the gates were down – but the crossing does not have gates over the sidewalk.
