Rail Runner Express to undergo safety review of Santa Fe crossings

During the next 60 to 90 days, Federal Railroad Administration safety experts will join officials from the Rio Metro Regional Transit District, New Mexico Department of Transportation and other stakeholders to conduct a safety review of Sante Fe grade crossings involving the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.

The extra scrutiny follows two fatal accidents that occurred since April involving bicyclists that crossed the path of a Rail Runner train. New Mexico Public Regulation Commission and city of Santa Fe officials also will participate in the review, according to a press release.

"The amount of pedestrian and bicycle activity in and around these crossings has increased in the last couple of years," said Rio Metro Regional Transit District Director Terry Doyle. "We want to make sure we are doing all we can in the way of making these crossings as safe as possible for those who use them."

The safety review will include all Rail Runner crossings in Santa Fe. Improvements will be identified and then implemented, Rio Metro officials said. In the meantime, trains will operate at slower speeds through the crossings, and flaggers will be stationed at crossings to warn motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians of oncoming trains, they said.