(La Porte, IN) - La Porte city officials met with members of the railroad and federal authorities this week on blocked crossings.

Officials from Elkhart and Goshen were also there because their crossings are being blocked by train cars too often for long periods.

La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody said indications were given that brings the hope of solving that problem at some point. One reason for his optimism is the Norfolk Southern Railroad asked for a list of priority crossings to keep open.

“We will be putting together a letter to send to them on what we believe are priority crossings, and that will be the next step. We will keep the dialogue going,” Dermody said.

Dermody said La Porte Fire Chief Andy Snyder and Police Chief Paul Brettin were among the other officials there, illustrating why crossings blocked for several hours and even days at a time can endanger residents from the time it takes to reach a fire or hospital.

Dermody said the railroad explained the trains have to stop whenever crew members reach their daily limit on hours operating a train. He said crews should stop the trains before reaching the crossings when they know they’re approaching their work limit.