Construction underway on train parking area

Peachtree City Mayor Harold Logsdon is sending a letter to CSX Railroad opposing the company’s plans to build a parking area along the track just north of Home Depot.

It may be too late since construction is already well underway. This section of track backs up to several homes, and since the trains often carry hazardous chemicals the project has sparked safety concerns.

It is also unclear if the city has any authority to regulate the project in any way, since railroads are governed by federal rules.

Logsdon said Thursday morning that he didn’t recall hearing about any security plans for the rail siding project at a recent meeting between city and railroad officials.

“It’s unbelievable that this has gone up so quickly,” Logsdon said. “It caught us totally off guard.”

The city is asking for a full listing of all chemicals the railroad transports through Peachtree City so the fire department and EMS crews can be prepared should a leak or spill occur, Logsdon said.

City officials were told that the parking area will hold a train up to 110 cars long. The company has cited growing traffic on the rails as the main reason the siding is needed; it would allow certain trains to go off the main rail so they can be passed by others.