Union Pacific agrees to keep rail crossing

The Union Pacific Railroad has apparently changed its stance and will not close the Palo Parado crossing over the Santa Cruz River and railroad tracks.

It’s an important link between Interstate 19 on the west side of the valley to Pendleton Drive on the east.

Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Maynard made the announcement Wednesday at the supervisors weekly meeting in Nogales.

Maynard told the other supervisors and audience members that after five months of lobbying, letter writing, e-mailing, petitions, numerous private and public meetings, the Palo Parado crossing “has been recognized as a public crossing by the Union Pacific Railroad.”

There’s a bridge over the river and a longstanding traffic crossing of the tracks at Rio Rico above five miles south.

Maynard said Union Pacific’s director of public affairs, Luis Heredia, notified the county’s Public Works Director Scott Altherr Wednesday morning.

Heredia said, “This letter is to inform your office of Union Pacific’s decision to permit a public crossing of its tracks and right of way where they intersect with Palo Parado Road.”

Heredia also asked the county to coordinate the design of all road and crossing improvements with its staff and to assist UP with scheduling and hosting two or three Operation Lifesaver presentations for the community.

The crossing is in Supervisor Maynard’s Santa Cruz County district.

In Maynard’s Wednesday statement he said, “We learned at the ACC (Arizona Corporation Commission) meeting on July 2, the crossing ranks very high, compared to other railroad projects in Arizona, for funds to assist with improvements.

“I believe we will qualify for funding in the 2008 grant cycle now that UP and the county are working together.”

There’s another low-water crossing and road across Union Pacific’s tracks a little farther north at Santa Gertrudis Lane. UP closed that crossing In March.

There’s another bridge across the Santa Cruz at Tubac, but the road on the east side doesn’t connect with Pendleton Drive.

jlamb@gvnews.com | 547-9749