Click the play button on the video window to the see the storyThe signs are clear at the Valley's most dangerous train crossings.
"Stop Here on Red."
"Do Not Stop on the Tracks."
But that's not happening.
Watch and you'll see over and over again cars stopping on or near the tracks, even those who drive for a living.
Three crossings along Grand Avenue - 35th Avenue, Thomas Road, and 27th Avenue - have been on the Federal Railroad Administration's radar since 2002.
There have been 30 collisions with trains at these intersections in the last three years.
"Too many accidents have already occurred at these crossings and they need to be made safer," Arizona Corporation Commissioner Kris Mayes said.
Mayes sits on the board that oversees railroad safety in the state.
"We've got to make sure the people stay off those tracks," Mayes said.
She's upset with both the City of Phoenix and BNSF Railway for dragging their feet on improvements.
"It's worth a couple of hundred thousand dollars to make sure the people of Phoenix are safe when they are crossing Grand Avenue," Mayes said.
The problem is figuring out who pays for it.
BNSF spokeswoman Lena Kent said, "Our capital expenditures need to go into maintaining our current infrastructure," meaning little money for improvements.
The City of Phoenix just completed engineering studies on these intersections in November.
According to Sina Matthes, a city public information officer, Phoenix will be asking for federal funds, but "we hope all parties involved will be a part of this process," Matthes said in an e-mail to ABC15.
"I just don't want us to wait until there's another accident at one of these crossings," Mayes said.
One of the proposals being considered at these crossings is photo enforcement to make drivers really focus on where they're stopping.
DANGEROUS RAILROAD CROSSINGS
10 Crossings with the Highest Fatal Accident Prediction Factor Values from a U.S. Department of Transportation Report, February 2002
Improvement information for each crossing was provided by the Arizona Corporation Commission on December 31, 2008.Crossing Number: 025017A
County: Navajo
City: Holbrook
Street: Navajo Blvd.
Devices Prior to 2002: Cantilever with flashing lights, gates and pedestrian gates
Improvements: Since 2002, Railroad has added additional fencing to keep trespassers off tracks
Crossing Number: 025131A
County: Coconino
City: Flagstaff
Street: Enterprise
Devices Prior to 2002: Flashing Lights and Gates
Improvements: Roadway Improvements with median gates and cantilevers
Crossing Number: 025170R
County: Coconino
City: Bellemont
Street: Garland
Devices Prior to 2002: Flashing Lights and Gates
Improvements: None
Crossing Number: 025419G
County: Maricopa
City: Glendale
Street: 55th Ave. & Maryland
Devices Prior to 2002: Flashing Lights
Improvements: Eliminated by grade separation in 2005
Crossing Number: 025425K
County: Maricopa
City: Phoenix
Street: 35th Ave.
Devices Prior to 2002: Cantilever with flashing lights
Improvements: Engineering study for improvements completed, 12/08 by City of Phoenix. Recommendation by ACC & City to follow.
Crossing Number: 025430G
County: Maricopa
City: Phoenix
Street: 27th Ave.
Devices Prior to 2002: Cantilever with flashing lights
Improvements: Engineering study for improvements completed, 12/08 by City of Phoenix. Recommendation by ACC & City to follow.
Crossing Number: 025590V
County: Maricopa
City: Glendale
Street: Bethany Home Rd.
Devices Prior to 2002: Flashing lights and gates
Improvements: Cantilevers with flashing lights and gates
Crossing Number: 025594X
County: Maricopa
City: Glendale
Street: 51st Ave.
Devices Prior to 2002: Flashing lights
Improvements: Eliminated by grade separation in 2005
Crossing Number: 025617C
County: Maricopa
City: Phoenix
Street: Thomas Rd.
Devices Prior to 2002: Cantilever with flashing lights
Improvements: Engineering study for improvements completed, 12/08 by City of Phoenix. Recommendation by ACC & City to follow.
Crossing Number: 741101G
County: Pima
City: Marana
Street: Ina Rd.
Devices Prior to 2002: Flashing lights and gates
Improvements: Cantilever with flashing lights to be installed Jan. 2009
