Drivers Confront Growing Problem Near Railroad Crossing

JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. -- Some Johnson County drivers are complaining about a growing problem at one area railroad crossing.

Tall weeds are obstructing drivers' views of the tracks at the crossing near Whiteland Road about a half mile west of State Road 135, 6News' Rick Hightower reported.

Donna Gentry, a Johnson County teacher, said she called the county highway department four times about the issue but has received no response. She said she's had several close calls at the crossing, which does not have safety arms.

"The other morning when I came through, I heard the train before I actually saw it, which was a good thing since you couldn't see it," she said.

The weeds on either side of the crossing reach as high as the windows on a passing school bus.

"Definitely, those weeds need to be cut down. It's hard to see. I drive a school bus and they're in the way; it's awful," the bus driver told Hightower.

A Johnson County Highway official told Hightower Friday that he had no record of Gentry's calls about the weeds. He said if the weeds were on the county right-of-way, they would be cut down Monday morning.