The local government of Jones, Oklahoma, has addressed concerns raised by citizens regarding the increasingly dilapidated state of the railroad crossings within the community on its social media channels. According to a Facebook post by the Town of Jones City, interim Mayor Frank Koehler acknowledged that "many of the crossings are in need of repair, and some have been that way for quite some time." Koehler informed the community that after a personal inspection of critical sites and a meeting with the Railroad Company, temporary repairs have been set to begin, potentially as soon as tomorrow.
The interim mayor provided an assurance that the temporary fixes are only a precursor to a more substantial project slated to start within the next 6 to 9 months, aimed to "replace multiple railroad crossings using materials better suited to handle increased traffic." The Town of Jones plans to gather crucial data through traffic counters soon to be installed around town to carefully devise the most effective long-term solutions. Residents are urged to slow down and to exercise caution when approaching the railroad crossings, regardless of the present conditions of the infrastructure.
Mayor Koehler also touched on the complexity of the upcoming improvements noting that multiple agencies are involved and various regulations need to be adhered to, which can lead to perceptions of slow progress. However, he reassured constituents that the projects have not been ignored with the promise that "work is actively underway," as per the Town of Jones.
The Town of Jones is open to receiving further queries or concerns. The community can reach out by telephone at 405-399-5301 opt 6 or through email at [email protected]. Mayor Koehler thanked citizens for their patience and their role in helping to maintain safety in Jones. The ongoing communication between the town officials and the residents is a clear example of a community-driven approach to maintaining and improving local infrastructure.
