Whether the trestles are re-purposed into part of a trail system, remain untouched, or ultimately removed years down the road, there is a problem that exists with them today.
Access to the platforms above the roadways isn’t hindered sufficiently to deter local youths, or anyone else for that matter, from walking on them. Only the foolish adult venture onto the rotted railroad ties, or a teenager who, as we all thought in our youth, believe themselves to be immortal.
The problem is with the fence that was installed many years ago at the ends of the platforms.
The chain link fence is approximately 6′ high, but you don’t have to climb over it to get onto the span. You only need to step around it and this is exactly what some youths have been doing.
For years, teenagers have been reported “playing” on the trestles. Not only on the trestle above Spring Street, solely owned by West Easton, but also on the jointly owned trestle above Iron Street, as Wilson Councilman Scott Palinkas stated in an email I received recently from him.
The response has been to post additional “No Trespassing” signage to the fences and on the trestle supports.
I’m not convinced that such signage would protect the borough from a lawsuit, considering the ease in which access can be gained and the fact that nothing has been done to maintain the integrity of the trestles.
A possible lawsuit aside, I’m more concerned for the safety of the kids.
While I may joke around about looking forward to the day I can sit on my rocker and yell at children to, “Get off my lawn!,” I do actually worry that one day a kid is going to fall and get seriously injured, or worse.
At Monday’s Council meeting I presented my fellow Council members and those in attendance pictures I took of the fencing, as it exists now. To get my fat ass up those hills is, for me, comparable to a climb up Mount Everest. That lets you know how concerned I am about kids being up there.
Upon a motion by me and seconded by Councilman Lewis, a vote to obtain quotes for proper fencing was approved. At least three quotes are being sought which would give West Easton Council the cost of fencing the three ends of the trestles accessed from our borough property.
Wilson Borough would be notified, if we intend to move forward, as they may wish to improve their side of the Iron Street trestle with proper fencing.
Our Junior Councilperson, Nathaniel Kober, noted that the fencing should also have angle attachments at the top to prevent youths from climbing up and over, even if access around it is prevented. It was an excellent suggestion, as we older folks forget just how easy it was for us to climb over a simple vertical fence.
New fencing, if installed, would likely be in use for a long time.
If Council decides to move ahead with trestles being used in a trail plan it would be years before it is completed. If an option of removing them is found to be less expensive, that would likely take years to complete, as I expect it would be done in phases.
Should no action be taken on the trestles and they remain in place without being disturbed, then new fencing will continue to protect youth from harming themselves due to an act of stupidity, or bravado.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
