Nesquehoning residents say they are concerned about unmarked railroad crossings following a train-car crash earlier this week.

Nesquehoning Borough Council listened as Renee DeMelfi and John McArdle voiced their concerns about two railroad crossings in particular, but noted that there are quite a few crossings in the borough that don't have adequate signage to protect both trains and motorists at these intersections.DeMelfi, who is also a member of the Panther Valley School Board, asked about the crossing on Tippets Road."It has been a concern of mine," she said. "If a train is coming, guess what? You don't always know it unless you are accustomed to it. There are cars that fly right through."She asked why there was never an arm or lighted crossing signal installed at the intersection, which is used by school buses, residents and visitors to Lake Hauto.David Hawk, council president, said that the crossing must meet Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission guidelines for the amount of vehicular and rail traffic at that intersection.He added that they could ask Reading and Northern Railroad, which manages the line owned by Carbon County, to install crossing lights or an arm, but it is up to the railroad and the bill for the project would most likely fall back on Nesquehoning.Councilwoman Rosemary Porembo said that the main entrance to Lake Hauto has an armed railroad crossing and asked if the buses could be instructed to use only that entrance if it is a big enough concern.DeMelfi said that if nothing can be done about the crossing, then she may approach the school board with that option.Increased train speedNesquehoning Mayor Sam Kitchko pointed out that the railroad increased train speed along that portion of track into Nesquehoning from 10 mph to 25 mph last week."You could see the difference," Hawk said, adding that the increased speed may mean some changes to the intersections. "There may be other crossings that will end up needing to be improved because of it. We will inquire about it in light of what happened on Mountain Avenue."Council said that it will send a letter to Carbon County and Reading and Northern requesting additional signage at the crossing in light of the recent crash.DeMelfi thanked the board and said she hopes something could be done because she has witnessed close calls before between a train and vehicles.Kitchko also said that he will be meeting with Ametek officials today to discuss the recent collision at its entrance.McArdle, who is the borough's emergency management coordinator, then brought up the Allen Street railroad crossing because of high vegetation that creates a sight hazard."I have witnessed two close calls there where the train was nearing the intersection and the cars go through," he said. "With that vegetation, you can't see from Catawissa coming to Allen Street. It's a blind spot until you get right to the railroad tracks."Councilman Frank Jacobs said that Reading and Northern recently told council that Allen Street was one of the crossings that will be getting a lighted crossing sign. The other one will be along Industrial Road at the intersection of Park Avenue.Council told McArdle it will contact Carbon County and the railroad regarding getting the vegetation cut back along the line. Council will also have its borough crew cut back the vegetation on land owned by the borough near that intersection as well.McArdle again asked about a small railroad crossing that the railroad removed in the Hauto Valley Estates next to a pond that fire companies use as a water source in the case of a fire.Hawk said that Reading and Northern told council that it was removed because it wasn't up to specifications and there was no reason for it to be there."If we want it back, we will have to pay to put it back, but it will have to be a full-blown crossing with PUC approval," Hawk said.