To comply with an agreement signed in August of 2005, the City of Anna is taking steps to eliminate the at-grade crossing that allows traffic on First St. to travel between Riggins Rd. on the west side of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) rail line and Sherley Rd. on the east side of the rails.
The action is a result of a communication from DART on Feb. 16 that compelled the City to meet the terms of the 2005 agreement. The rail line through the City is owned by DART and freight is hauled over the line by DGNO Railroad.
Several years ago, Anna petitioned to build an at-grade crossing at what is today Rosamond Parkway to connect the central city with the Sweetwater Crossing subdivision, and in exchange for that clearance, DART imposed their two-for-one rule.
The two-for-one rule is DART's response to the Federal Railroad Administration's 1991 goal of reducing the number of at-grade crossings by 25 percent over a ten year period. When cities, counties or other governmental entities petition for a new crossing, the rail owner, in this case DART, exacts a pledge from the petitioning entity to close two existing at-grade crossings. An at-grade crossing is one in which vehicles come in contact with rails.
The 2005 agreement between the City of Anna and DART covered the closure of the old Anna School Road and First St.; however, First St. has remained open contrary to the agreement.
The crossing will officially close on June 18. Commuters wishing to cross the DART line after June 18th may still do so at E. White St., Fourth St. and Rosamond Parkway.
Appropriate signage and barricades will be erected to warn drivers of the upcoming closure.