JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Residents at the Ortega Hills subdivision have been complaining about CSX trains that block their entrance and exit for hours at times. Carolyn Roux has lived in the subdivision for four years and she said she's heard enough apologies from CSX.
Roux believes the company needs to act fast.
“It is always happening in the morning when people are going to work or returning from work," said Roux. "And this last time we had to wait two and a half hours trying to get into our own development.”
Kristin Seay, a CSX Corporate Communications employee, said, "CSX is required by law to give priority to Amtrak, which requires freight trains to pull into a rail siding to allow Amtrak trains to pass. We have alerted our Florida Operations team that there are concerns about blocked crossings."
Every couple of weeks Roux cringes in anticipation waiting for a train to show up at the worse time and just sit there.
"One lady that was sitting behind me said when her mother lived here a lady gave birth in the yard because medics couldn't get to her," said Roux.
Several neighbors, such as Kim Honsberger, shared horror stories of getting stuck on either side of the tracks.
"When my kids were in elementary school the busses had to park," said Honsberger. "We had to cross over the train to get them off the bus on 17."
Roux says she and her neighbors have nagged CSX for years. They fear the problem could one day turn deadly.
"There's only two exits in and out," said Roux. "Advent Road and Ortega Hills Road. If there's an emergency you can't get out. It aggravates me. I don't think there's an excuse.”
Seay said CSX will review the train traffic flows in this area and try to make suitable operational adjustments.
CSX encourages community members to call 1-877-TELLCSX (1-877-835-5279) to report a blocked crossing or any other rail-related concerns.