New safety measures to prevent collisions between vehicles and trains have been installed in Ogden, Ark.
Ogden Mayor Sandra Furlow said the project was completed by Kansas City Southern Railway and the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department at the Pine Street crossing where two people were killed in January 2018.
The fatal collision happened about 5:30 p.m. where the railroad tracks cross Pine Street on the north side of Ogden in Little River County.
Bobby Burris, 37, and Braiden Miller, 10, both of Ogden, were killed in the collision. Also Linda Hobbs, 66, of Ogden was critically injured.
The car was moving eastbound on Pine Street when it collided with the northbound train. Police reports said the road was wet from rain and the train was traveling at 53 mph.
"This crossing was included in the list of crossings we look at to determine eligibility for improvements using 2016 federal funding," said Steve Weston, railroad crossing coordinator for the highway department. "Based on the crossings we've recently approved for this funding, Pine Street certainly qualifies."
With the January, 2018 fatal collision, the hazard rating went up from 514 to 164 out of 2,459 public at-grade crossings.
"The new HR (hazard rating) is well within the range to consider for the obligation of federal funds for improvement," he said. "It typically costs $300,000 to $350,000 to install lights with gates at a crossing."
The highway commission will review the proposals and request federal funds to pay for the construction. The construction was conducted by the railroad.
The plan used lighted arms and bells.
Furlow said it's unfortunate the fatal accident occurred.
"I'm sorry this happened and we want to prevent another one," she said.
"We don't want to keep going up the ladder with fatalities," Furlow said.
"The purpose of the meeting is to see what they can do for us and to improve the safety. We don't want to keep going up the ladder with fatalities, she said."
A report by Arkansas State Trooper Sgt. Robert Wilson said the train equipment was working when the collision occurred.
Wilson reviewed the video recorded by the train's camera and said it showed everything was functioning.
"The lights, horns, and bells were working. All the equipment was working properly as required by federal regulation," Wilson said.