HAGERSTOWN – A long-standing transportation conundrum occurred during the June 10 Work Session, as officials debated whether to close the Summit Avenue railroad crossing. This decision could unlock long-stalled repairs at two other dangerous intersections in Hagerstown.
While the closure has been floated before, the topic resurfaced following a new community survey that drew 56 responses and revealed a near 50/50 split in public opinion. Twenty-nine respondents supported closing the crossing, while 27 opposed it.
Yet the discussion is about more than numbers; it’s about safety, access, funding, and leverage.
A conditional deal from CSX
City Engineer Jim Bender updated the council, explaining that CSX Transportation has long maintained that it will only allow state-funded repairs at the Park Circle crossings if the city agrees to close the Summit Avenue crossing permanently.
“It feels a little like we’re being held hostage,” Councilmember Kristin Aleshire said. “If we don’t close Summit, the repairs won’t happen. If we want the repairs, we lose Summit.”
The Park Circle crossings, which motorists use daily, have been in poor condition for years. However, due to longstanding federal exemptions, railroads like CSX are not obligated to maintain crossings that intersect public roads. While the Maryland Department of Transportation has funds earmarked to make those improvements, CSX controls whether work can proceed.
Approximately $150,000 in federal and state transportation funding could be redirected if the city doesn’t act soon.
Conditions for Ccosure
Bender outlined four critical conditions the city wants met before moving forward:
- Cost reimbursement: A private developer involved in a nearby project would need to cover the physical closure costs, including pavement removal and curb installation.
- Annexation agreement: That same developer would be required to sign a pre-annexation agreement, ensuring future tax revenue from development benefits the city.
- Access for Columbia Gas: The Summit Avenue corridor utility must address its concerns. A secondary access route via Potomac Street must be improved.
- Guaranteed crossing repairs: CSX must release the funds and formally allow MDOT to proceed with the promised Park Circle repairs.
Bender told the council that preliminary discussions with CSX, MDOT, Columbia Gas and the developer were encouraging. “All parties are moving in a positive direction,” he said.
Community perspectives and safety concerns
Survey comments varied widely. Those opposing the closure expressed concern that traffic would be pushed toward Park Circle, which is already viewed by some as dangerous. Others voiced frustration that CSX has avoided responsibility for years.
Supporters of the closure reluctantly accepted it as a tradeoff; if closing Summit meant fixing the more heavily used Park Circle crossings, they were willing to compromise.
Bender noted that city staff confirmed public safety departments could maintain acceptable emergency response times even with the closure.
A broader discussion about railroads and local control
The Summit Avenue situation highlights a deeper issue many municipalities face: railroads’ powerful legal standing and minimal accountability for infrastructure that impacts local roads. Historically, rail lines predate roadways and have retained federal exemptions, making it difficult for local governments to enforce upgrades.
With federal and state funds potentially on the line and the city’s infrastructure and development prospects in play, Hagerstown’s leaders must now decide whether closing a local street is a fair price for broader public benefit.
What’s next?
A formal motion on the Summit Avenue closure is expected to be introduced at the council’s next regular session. The motion will include the four conditions discussed and allow council members to approve, reject or modify the plan.
