Illinois State University President Larry Dietz is urging caution to students, faculty, and staff as Uptown Normal continues to see standing freight trains backing up pedestrian and motorist traffic.
The stopped trains have caused many to use unsafe methods of crossing under or between train cars. The backup is a result of changed operations at the Bloomington yard, a change Union Pacific Railroad said it's working to fix in the coming weeks.
In an email to ISU faculty, students and staff, Dietz said, “No delay is worth risking your life.” He also reminded the campus that crossing the tracks while gates are down is not only dangerous, but illegal.
GLT is tracking reports of stopped trains in Uptown Normal on our interactive map below. Submit your own report.
Dietz noted most trains have stopped between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.
He recommended the use of Connect Transit to safely avoid the trains. Also, he noted the School Street and Main Street underpasses are options for pedestrians needing to cross.
Dietz said the university is in communication with the railroad and the Town of Normal to raise awareness of delays.
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