TIE ONE ON: ALL THOSE RAILROAD ROCKS REALLY MEAN SOMETHING

This week's completion of a maintenance project along the two southernmost tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad in downtown La Grange may have seemed routine, but as a result train commuters and engineers may now be enjoying a much calmer ride to and from the city.

So says BNSF spokesman Steve Forsberg, who took the time to tell us what those unique-looking, large-scale heavy equipment rail cars and varied work crews were actually doing on the tracks between Sept. 17 and 21 that caused so many passersby to stop and watch.

"(The project) should help give you a smoother train ride and provide a much safer ride for years to come and also help maintain track speed," he said, adding the weekend work doesn't change operations but rather likened it to a routine "repaving of a highway road."

Announced early last week, the project was billed as a "significant" railroad tie replacement program that would tie up grade crossings at Gilbert, Brainard, Kensington and Ashland avenues and La Grange Road.

That it did. But the project was more involved, and perhaps for railroad buffs, commuters and others, more interesting than that.

"It's definitely a neat thing," said Assistant Village Manager Andrianna Peterson. "They're replacing deteriorating railroad ties between here and the city ... and they're using some new equipment they've not used before."

It's not only the ties being replaced where needed, but the large white rocks in the fairly thick ballast rock bed beneath the rails and ties are also "reconditioned" at the same time, a process Forsberg said is technically called "regulated" and involves machines that remove and clean the ballast quarry rock with claw-like "pinchers" before shoving them back into the bed and under the ties in the same manner.

"It's a visual sight to behold," he added, noting while some of the rail machinery removes and replaces the steel spikes, others handle the ties, which are no longer kept on the side of the tracks for each project but inside the actual rail cars for easy reach.

"What we're doing is replacing part of the structure the rails sits on; the rail is very, very durable and can last forever," he said. "The machines clean the ballast ... which is there to create stabilization for the ties and help with water drainage (so ties don't rot as quickly). That's why ties last longer."

Forsberg says only pieces of the so-called "mechanized track gang" -- that large-scale row of aforementioned rail cars -- are new, but the technology is fascinating. Working all summer, piece by piece, between Aurora and Halsted Street in Chicago, train crews must work in well-oiled sequence and everyone has a task.

"The ties (being replaced) are kept on the rail cars and a mechanism feeds the ties as they are removed," said Forsberg, who noted the northernmost outbound track was done last year. "It's kind of like a rolling assembly line."

Forsberg says the railroad bed beneath the Aurora-to-Chicago tracks is pretty-well packed down after so many decades of use. The rail line was the very first in the region and was built in 1849. The train cars that used to run through here were upwards of 1 million pounds each, but today weigh only half that.

While the railroad tie and ballast work has since been completed and is now underway in Brookfield, Riverside and beyond, Metra has already started to replace concrete platforms east of the Burlington Avenue shelter across the tracks from the historic circa-1901 Stone Avenue station in La Grange.

Plans call to finish replacement of the entire platform outside the station and shelter in the spring -- or sooner.

As for the station itself, Phase I, or the preliminary conceptual design portion in conjunction with Oak Brook-based Legat Architects is "almost done," according to Peterson.

Next comes the final drawings for an estimated $3 million project that has already earned a $385,000 grant through the West Suburban Mass Transit District and may still qualify for some much-desired federal funds through the work of U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski, D-3rd District, of neighboring Western Springs.

The Village Board looked at several different concept designs for Stone Avenue station in February, she said, and provided extensive input. But before any designs are finalized, the public will have the opportunity to state its case as well.

"We have been working with Metra reviewing plans and making decisions and now that the platform work is going to proceed, we are making sure plans conform and match up with ours," she said, adding it may not be a good idea to work separately.

The station has long been in need of tuckppointing, soffit/fascia and roof work and has deteriorated over time, she said, noting renovations in recent decades has not been as historically sensitive as today's village leaders would have liked.

There are aluminum window panes, modern lighting and asphalt roofs, while it's likely the window panes and roofs were once wood and the lights were much less sophisticated.

"Because the village is involved as being a steward of the station, we believe it's important any renovations be done in an historically accurate way," said Peterson. "We want it to be a sensitive renovation. This building is going to stay as it is ... and will be even more beautiful than it is."

She said while some improvements are easier to plan out, much of the historical change will be carefully crafted in conjunction with the La Grange Area Historical Society.,

For one thing, accessibility to the disabled will be improved, as a ramp slapped on the side of the facility years ago may not even be appropriate with federal standards.

And although it's not a village decision BNSF is adamant about changing the grade of the pedestrian crossing mid-block for safety reasons and as a result the grade will be different when all is said and done.

"Still, our projects all need to be coordinated," she said.

The platform work will not likely be completed by the end of this fall, which means part of the work under construction will remain inaccessible to pedestrians during the winter months.

Bicycle facilities also will be upgraded, as will the former coffee shop inside the station. That hasn't been occupied by a retail tenant for a long time. Also, indoor seating will, hopefully, be maximized.

LEGION, CO-WORKERS FETE KNIEFEL

Steve Kniefel, the 12-year La Grange patrol officer who just returned from his U.S. Army service in Afghanistan a month ago, was given a hero's welcome on Sept. 11 in two ceremonies at the American Legion Robert Coulter Post.

Kniefel, who said he saw much combat while flying some 300 hours of missions, was glad to be back, if for no other reason than to just spend quality time again with family, friends and to get back on the job.

He was glad to be released from active duty a few months earlier than expected, especially since his wife, Maggie, has been sick in recent months and needed him by her side.

In the morning, the Legion with District 5 Cmdr. Barry Cicero and Auxiliary President Therese Schey at the helm, made him a guest of honor at their post remembrance of the 8th anniversary of the Sept. 11,2001 terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

Later that evening, Kniefel enjoyed pizza, salad and beverages with family members and co-workers, and even a few members of the community who didn't know him yet just came out to shake his hand and thank him for his service.

The party was hosted by Police Chief Mike Holub and others.

Now that Kniefel is back in action in La Grange, we invite you to keep an eye on us next week for a first-ever comprehensive face-to-face with him.

Welcome back, Steve!

LT SOUTH PEDESTRIAN WOES RAISE IRE

Much like a judge may call an evidentiary hearing at the scene of an incident or alleged crime so jurors can be afforded a firsthand opportunity to see things as they might have played out for themselves, an Edgewood Avenue resident is suggesting La Grange elected and appointed officials show up some weekday morning as students cross Gilbert Avenue to see just what's happening there.
In the eyes of Cheryl Ciecko, it is an accident waiting to happen, not much dissimilar to the hazards that faced pedestrians on 47th Street before a young mother was killed while innocently crossing the street nearly four months ago.

And now that school is underway -- and nighttime football kicks off for the Lyons Township High School Lions this weekend -- Ciecko said she believes the time is now for both La Grange and Western Springs to put their heads together to come up with a solution with what she calls the dangerous grade crossing three blocks south of 47th at the entrance to the LT South campus.

Although the school is located in Western Springs -- which for years has deployed a campus liaison officer to patrol the crossing -- she says the problem is half of La Grange's to solve because all of the teenagers crossing there each morning and afternoon are La Grange kids.

"It is an important day in our community," she told trustees last week, before highlighting the fact that the speed limit was just reduced to 30 from 35 mph the entire length of 47th in La Grange from Gilbert to East Avenue. "But the traffic on Willow Springs Road (also known as Gilbert) south of 47th in front of the South campus is a challenge, half for La Grange and half for Western Springs."

While there are no current talks going on between the neighboring municipalities, Ciecko thinks there should be, before someone gets hurt.

She suggested "it took decades" for LT officials to finally get a painted crosswalk at Mason Drive, which many students access to get to classes. On the way home, they cross Mason behind the water tower, down Linkletter and across Brainard Avenue and they're home free, she added.

But between 7:15 and 7:45 Monday through Friday, there not only are students on foot and in cars on the road, but delivery trucks serving the Garden Market shopping plaza, a daily shift change at nearby Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital and normal vehicular traffic comprised of commuters in a rush on their way to work. Plus, she said, there are young drivers dropping off younger siblings at South and turning around to head back to North in La Grange.

On top of that, people typically drive five miles or more over the speed limit in the area, which varies from 35 to 40 mph, which underscores the need for more signage and/or bollards to be placed at the crossing just like those along 47th east of La Grange Road so people slow down and possibly be more cautious.

Even worse, she added, is the problem caused on area sidewalks during snowstorms. Students cannot walk on the sidewalk in front of Shell at 47th and Gilbert and adjacent businesses because the village or private snow plows "routinely" plow the street and parking lots some 4 to 5 feet high on the sidewalks.

Many parents recall accidents that have occurred on LT South's front lawn, one involving an extrication and another which resulted in the death of a young girl.

"I don't want to wait," she said. "I want to bring this to your attention ... so we don't have to wait until there is a fatality."

Ciecko said she has met with Public Works Director Ryan Gillingham, who agreed it was an issue and something that hopefully can be resolved.

Village President Liz Asperger, who commonly meets with LT officials, said the village will be working with Western Springs on the resurfacing of Willow Springs Road in the near future and will address related issues then.

Police Chief Michael Holub, in an interview this week, said he was not aware of any safety issues at the South campus that are not routinely handled by the Western Springs liaison officer, but would be open to discussing how to solve any traffic woes.

Another resident, Stephen Fink, of the 600 block of South 10th Avenue, also implored the village to step up law enforcement in these safety zones, particularly at the 9th Avenue crossing with 47th, because motorists tend to ignore safety solutions.

"It's a situation where vehicular traffic does not adhere (to crossings and bollards)," said Fink, who that day had an Audi swerve around him crossing 47th rather than paying attention to the safety measures.

Asperger said the 9th crosswalk will soon be enhanced by the state. But she said it is impossible for police to be "at every crossing, on every road, at every hour," adding, "in addition to enforcement, we need to work with our neighbors (and) ourselves in following the law."

Trustee Mike Horvath, who favors increased safety measures in problematic areas, agreed the village needs to talk with its neighboring communities. He said the Police Department's July statistics show traffic stops are on the rise.

"There has been a lot more traffic stops, but I'm not sure where they're located," he said -- leading Fink to later suggest that a "hot spot" map be created to show residents where the biggest problems lie. Of the 642 stops that month, Holub reported 79 percent resulted in tickets, with 51 percent being moving violations. A majority of those, some 76 percent, were on arterial streets.

Bollards on Willow Springs Road "is a good idea," remarked Trustee Mark Kuchler, saying it gives "a better chance (motorists) will stop." He said the stats "is a showing (police are) definitely moving in a direction (of increased enforcement)."

Trustee James Palermo praised Ciecko and Fink for raising the issues, speculating Horvath's proposal earlier this summer to form a resident Safety Commission could mean "residents can be the eyes and ears for the staff and the board." The idea, however, is still under consideration.

:"We may not have all the answers here, we may not have all the questions," he said, "but that's (part) of the process and we'll end up with safer streets."

After the meeting, Fink said he believed the answers to his concerns were mere "lip service," adding he was being "cautiously optimistic" novel ideas such as signage in neighboring communities warning motorists of "reduced speed ahead" or "La Grange is a pedestrian-friendly community" or pedestrian-activated red light cameras at key crosswalks could ever be realized.

Horvath later added that bollards "without enforcement or education" at places such at LT South will only have marginal impact on safety.

Trustee Bill Holder also embraced several of the ideas to improve safety even more.

"When we slow down traffic, it's going (to) be easier for pedestrians to get across," he said.

ELECTRICAL SHORT THOUGHT TO CAUSE FIRE

The La Grange Fire Department responded to a house fire at 5:10 p.m., Sunday, August 30, 2009, located at 130 N. Catherine Avenue. The residents were home at the time, in the first floor kitchen preparing dinner and were alerted to the fire by the installed smoke alarm activating on the second floor of the home. All occupants safely evacuated their home.

On arrival of the La Grange Fire Department, smoke was visible from the third floor of the home. Upon making entry into the home, heavy smoke conditions were encountered on the third floor of the single-family structure. Upon further investigation the fire was found to be located in a bedroom closet on the third floor.

The response was upgraded to a Box Alarm (MABAS Division 10) for mutual aid assistance to the fire scene. Additional fire crews performed a search of the structure, ventilation of the fire area, salvage to a second floor room and hallway immediately below the fire and checked for any extension of the fire beyond the room of origin. In addition to the La Grange fire units, thirteen departments responded to the scene and two departments covered the La Grange Fire Station. The fire was under control at 5:30 p.m. and struck out at 5:48 p.m. Fire companies remained on the scene until 7:00 p.m.

Due to an aggressive interior attack of the fire by the initial arriving Fire Departments, the fire was contained to the third floor bedroom. One room on the second floor immediately below the fire sustained some water damage. The power had to be shut off and the structure was determined to be uninhabitable. Damage is estimated at $ 50,000 structure and contents.

The origin of the fire was in a closet on the third floor of the residence. Following an initial investigation by the MABAS Division 10 Investigation Team the cause of the fire appears to be an electrical short in nature; the structure was turned over to the owners and their insurance company.

If you require additional information, please contact Fire Chief David Fleege at the La Grange Fire Department, (708)579-2338.