Officials aim to halt Bayport LIRR fence

Local and state officials are petitioning the Long Island Rail Road to halt construction of an 8-foot-tall fence along the railroad tracks in Bayport, calling it an eyesore and disputing the railroad's ...

[Interesting]

Interesting that these tracks run through part of Nassau and most of Suffolk counties without fencing. What's going on in Bayport that LIRR actually spends some money and puts a fence there? Must be a problem.

[Yes]

They should spend alittle more time trying to stop thier kids from jumping in front of trains instead of protesting the fence

[pvan]

I grew up in Bayport and there have been more deaths prior to the ones they chose to tell you about. I find it interesting that the residents are protesting something that should have been done years ago. They're more worried about what it will do the the scenery than the fact that it will help protect their children. Same old Bayport. Thank god I moved. At least I know my children will be safe.

[Bill1154]

When someone is hit by a train, one of the first things that is sited is there was no fence there. The South Shore has big concrete elevated rails going through their communities and they've survive. Suck it up Bayport, it's just a fence. You compare it to the Berlin wall. Well, unfortunately, that wall did the job. If this one (only 8 feet high) keeps people off the tracks as well, it's a plus.

[whatever]

pvan wrote:

I grew up in Bayport and there have been more deaths prior to the ones they chose to tell you about. I find it interesting that the residents are protesting something that should have been done years ago. They're more worried about what it will do the the scenery than the fact that it will help protect their children. Same old Bayport. Thank god I moved. At least I know my children will be safe.

If someone is going to go in front of a train to kill themselves they will do it whether an 8 foot ugly green chainlink fence is there or not. They will go to the grade crossing and walk up the right of way....and if people are going to put debris there they will do so by throwing it over the fences. The fence looks ugly and prob won't stop anyone anyway

[The Decider]

Again, LI's suburban 'Think they are affluent' community, wants to act like Bayport is so great. These people are putting image and status before the safety of the community.
Bayport's children have a very extraordinary substance abuse rate.Maybe that is why they hang out at the LIRR (head shop)tracks and overpasses to get what their families are not giving them...LOVE.
WAKE UP!

[jim]

maybe the politicans should do a sit in on the tracks...at night in dark clothing

[wow]

The fence will not stop anyone from getting to the tracks. They are only building it on the SouthSide of the tracks not the NorthSide. That makes real good sense. It will not stop access to the tracks it will not even hinder access to the tracks. Holes are going to be cut into the fence, It is going to be hit be cars traveling on RailRoad Ave collect garbage along the fence line and basically look like crap. If the fence is going to have no effect why put it up.

[KCC]

For heaven's sake - just put up trees in front of the dang fence.

[Noman]

I guess the parents against this fence aren't among the ones that lost a son or daughter on the tracks.

[Marilyn]

KCC wrote:

For heaven's sake - just put up trees in front of the dang fence.

Great suggestion!!!

[wow]

The fence would not of stoped these deaths. If a person wants to step in front of a train he or she is going to do it. No fence is going to stop it.

Noman wrote:

I guess the parents against this fence aren't among the ones that lost a son or daughter on the tracks.

[SouthShore]

Noman wrote:

I guess the parents against this fence aren't among the ones that lost a son or daughter on the tracks.

what a tard, like a fence would stop anyone trespassing from being hit

[wow]

Great idear give the person a nice place to hide from the engineer, responders, parents before they run out on the tracks through the hole in the fence or out into the open crossings.. A little concealment is a good thing???

KCC wrote:

For heaven's sake - just put up trees in front of the dang fence.

[jenn]

My friend Bill died on those tracks. Put up the fence. Do whatever it takes.

There is no price on saving a life.

[Chris]

It is interesting to read all of the comments about this subject and note that not one of the posters has stated Bayport as their town of residence. I have lived in Bayport for 17 years and appreciate all dialogue on this issue because that is what has been lacking so far. I don’t think there is anything wrong with taking an active interest in one’s community.
It seems as if the LIRR planners sat in their office and looked at a map that highlighted areas with a high “incident rate” and decided they had to do “something”. The fence will do “something” but will not do anything to prevent the type of “accidents” that have occurred. The article stated that there have been five suicides and two accidents in the area since 1995. The fence will not do anything to stop an individual who is determined to kill themselves. There will always be access from the unfenced north side of the tracks or at the five grade crossings. It will likely make it harder for someone to quickly intervene and possibly prevent the suicide. One of the two accidents was essentially the result of a game of “chicken” that ended in tragedy. It was at a grade crossing. I am not familiar with the other accident noted but I am quite sure that any incidents not at a grade crossing were suicides. One would hope that education would help the people of the community learn and respect the dangers inherent with grade level trains. The LIRR sent a representative to the schools who was so unprepared that they spent most of their time warning the students about the dangers of the electrified third rail. The Montauk line is diesel service! There is no third rail! I would suggest a healthy dose of common sense and personal responsibility is needed to deal with this issue while trying to limit unnecessary and unsightly structures. I suspect it’s more about limiting the liability of litigation than anything else. Come on LIRR, let’s have a dialogue.

[jenn]

I drove passed those tracks and if you are crossing, you can't see. I worked at the bayport flower house and I can tell you dozens of people a day cross the tracks.

Don't be the judge and jury...You can't hear the train once on your on those tracks. Ask the conducter.

Everyone is so quick to blame people. How can you blame parents? Children?

If the system can help, let it. Where else are your taxes going in that area anyway? There high enough.

[jenn]

Thanks Chris...

[bayportmayor]

I saw those workers ..working?..... what a disgrace! Everytime I drove past the area I saw one or two guys working and the rest of the crew 6-8 guys in a big circle laughing and having great time. This occurred all day long early in the morning and continuing until they stopped "working". Shame on them! This is why the LIRR wants to rise the rates? Thank God I don't take the LIRR.

[Anthony]

The LIRR has made some boned head moves such as concrete Tie that crack on install, and new trains that are to small creating large gaps, seating issues where two people cant sit next to each other comfortable, and arm rest that rip customers pants. Safety is there number one concern and i agree with the fence choice. Believe me the residents of Bayport or any town would complain if someone killed and a fence wasn't in place, there's one there now. leave the fence and put bushes in front, problem solved.