News Reports

TBO.com > News > News blog Reports

 News Blog Search

Advanced Search
Polk County News Blog
Polk County News | Photos | Breaking News

A Single CSX Crossing Study Could Cost More Than Polk’s Hub Consultant


I’m not the only Tribune reporter writing about CSX these days. My colleagues Lindsay Peterson and Yvette Hammett have both recently produced some worthy reporting on the company and its interactions with local governments.

Peterson’s story focused on how CSX can essentially name whatever price it wants to maintain rail crossings. She quotes Polk County’s own Steve Logan, who works in the county’s traffic engineering division.

Hammett’s story focused on Brandon’s efforts to create a “quiet zone” in the area. Lakeland hopes to create a similar quiet zone for its downtown. But it won’t be easy or cheap.

Here’s a money line from Hammett’s story:

“CSX wants $10,000 to $25,000 per crossing for a preliminary study to determine whether upgrades are needed. No money has been designated for that study.”

That’s before any upgrades are made.

And, as some of you may notice, $25,000 would be more than the roughly $21,000 Polk County is planning to pay a consultant to study the regional impacts of the CSX logistics center planned for Winter Haven. So, Lakeland could conceivably pay CSX more to study a single downtown rail crossing than Polk County pays the consultant.



Advertisement


Jennifer Leigh:

Jennifer Leigh, a reporter in Polk County, joined News Channel 8 in March 1993. She is a fifth-generation Floridian, who was born in Miami and grew up in Polk County. Email


Joe Martin:

Joe Martin is a photojournalist for NewsChannel 8. He recently moved here from Harrisburg, Penn. Martin, 26, has also worked in television in Wilkes-Barre, Penn. and Las Vegas. "I got into this business because I love meeting new people, and telling their stories," Martin says. Email


Ted Hoffman:

Ted Hoffman, an award-winning newspaper writer, editor, critic and columnist for 30 years on both coasts, but not at the same time, lives in Lakeland with his wife and son. An anthologized fiction writer and former stand-up comedian, he spends his free time knitting toupees for bald eagles. Email


Special Reports:
Polk County Links:

ADVERTISEMENT

Advertise With Us:
Online | In Print | Broadcast