Royston to Hold Public Hearing Tonight on Railroad Crossing Closings

The City of Royston is planning to hold a public hearing this evening to get input from citizens on whether to close four railroad crossings.

In February, Royston City Manager Ed Andrews told the Royston City Council Hartwell Railroad sent a letter to the city asking them to consider closing the crossings at Lee St. and SR17, Carlton St., Bowers St. and Tony Jones St.

“Their petition states the Georgia Department of Transportation has mandated the railroads look at all of their crossings throughout the State of Georgia, not just Hartwell Railroad, but all railroads in Georgia,” Andrews said.

“From my understanding have been looked at and deemed redundant and have been looked at from a safety standpoint.”

Royston Mayor David Jordan called for the public hearing in April after meeting in executive session with a representative from the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The public hearing will take place tonight at 6p at Royston City Hall.

During the hearing, the City Council and Mayor hope to gather information about whether closing any of the railroad crossings would be a hardship for citizens.

The City Council has voted hired an independent consultant to research the matter and may also hear from them tonight.

Andrews said after tonight’s public hearing, the City of Royston will try to make an informed and factual decision based on the information they have been gathering since February.

The City Council and Mayor David Jordan will meet on May 26 for a special work session to discuss the closings further.

No word, however, on when the City Council expects to make a final decision on whether to close those crossings.