DeKalb has an unusual intersection downtown because a major railroad runs through the intersection of two state highways. DeKalb, Illinois and the railroad have been working to improve safety at the intersection, but some drivers still are wary.

The intersection, one of a few in the nation with a railroad cutting through the center of two major highways, often is considered problematic by drivers, DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow said.

The city has taken steps in recent years to improve drivability through the intersection. The work has resulted in a decline in accidents at one of DeKalb’s busiest intersections.

More than 50 trains pass through town on the Union Pacific Railroad every day, said Mike Bauling, project implementation engineer for the city.

The frequency and length of the freight trains prompted the city to attempt to reduce traffic back-ups.

The city coordinated the traffic light at East Lincoln Highway and Third Street with the light at East Lincoln Highway and Fourth Street to ease congestion, Bauling said.

The change has helped control traffic flow by moving cars stopped at both lights at the same time, rather than having them both wait for a green light, Bauling said.

Another step taken to improve the intersection was to widen the right turn lane for drivers turning north onto Fourth Street off of East Lincoln Highway.

The city reacted with the wider turn lane after a semitrailer was struck by a train after it became stuck at the intersection, said Mark Espy, assistant director of Public Works’ streets and operations department.

Union Pacific Railroad has pitched in to improve the intersection, Espy said.

Drivers previously had to slow down to go over the tracks because they were rough, but it has been flattened for smoother crossing, Espy said.

The improvements have reduced accidents at the intersection from 20 in 2000 to fewer than 10 in 2002. Accident numbers for 2003 are not yet available, but Sparrow said things are getting better at the intersection.

DeKalb is not the only city with such an intersection with a railroad.

In Fort Collins, Colo., where both Union Pacific and Burlington Northern railroads run though the city’s downtown area, traffic constantly is backed up, Fort Collins Police Lt. Gary Perman said.

Fort Collins has an intersection similar to Fourth Street and East Lincoln Highway, where a track dissects the intersection.

A freight train going through the community of 160,000 people can back up traffic for 20 to 25 blocks, Perman said.