What are the risks associated with railroad crossings?
Railroad crossings, where trains carrying nuclear waste would intersect with rural highways, probably would be the most dangerous locations for citizens in Eureka County. Both Standish and Bob Halstead, the state’s transportation specialist, agree on that point. “For the public, that is probably the highest risk — derailments don’t necessarily result in that much risk to the public,” said Standish. “But it’s no more than a proportional amount of risk,” he said. Halstead stated that statistics show crossing accidents to pose the greatest overall risk to the public when it comes to rail transportation. He estimated that between five and ten underpasses and/or overpasses would be needed for the proposed Carlin route. “That’s the way to avoid the problem of grade crossings,” he said, “build underpasses and overpasses.” Danger to the trains carrying the radioactive waste is also high at crossings. Halstead said he would be concerned about grade crossing accidents involving flammable or exp
