The new fences that will be built along the railroad tracks on Southern Avenue will cost more than $1 million.
Funding for the project will come from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
Tony Poteet, assistant vice president of campus planning and design, said most of the funding will not come from the University of Memphis.
“The Railroad Pedestrian Safety Improvements project is a $1,635,000 project that is funded by a TDOT pedestrian safety enhancement grant,” Poteet said. “The grant provides 80 percent funding. The campus is funding 20 percent.”
After rumors spread around campus about new possible safety precautions, U of M Campus Planning and Design recently confirmed the fences were going to be built on both sides of the railroad.
There will be three larger pedestrian crossing sections with audible and visual crossings. In addition to the fencing, the price will include a new sidewalk between the tracks and Southern Avenue, American Disabilities Act sanctioned ramps, landscaping and lighting, Poteet said. He is not aware of any student fees being used for the project.
The project was not entirely a University decision. The railroad property is owned by Norfolk Southern Railway and is private property.
“The existing crossings, unfortunately, do not meet standards for safety or accessibility,” Poteet said.
Johnny Tuck, 31, train conductor for Norfolk Southern Railway, has seen a lot of students run across the tracks in his six years as a conductor.
“I have almost hit people because they are being stupid and trying to beat a train,” Tuck said.
Nearly 56 percent of accidents where people were hurt crossing railroad tracks at non-designated crossing points were fatal, according to the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety.
Many people don’t know that it is illegal to cross railroads at any place that is not a designated crosswalk, Tuck said.
Even though crossing train tracks at non-designated places can result in tickets and fines, many students are unhappy about the project.
Keniece Walker, 21, sport and leisure management senior, is furious about the new project.
“First off,” the U of M student from Windsor, Connecticut, said while waving one finger. “No one asked me, and I’m the one who has to walk across the tracks everyday. Second, that’s really inconvenient to have to walk to a designated spot.”
Walker has to drive from Cordova for classes each day and said she already struggles to get to classes on time.
“I’m convinced the University hates us,” Walker said. David Knowles, U of M student government president, said he was unaware of the project.
The fencing will be the same design as the fencing along the Central Avenue parking lot. Some students said they would still try to jump the fence.
Will Taylor, 19, accounting freshman, said he has already tried to beat the train several times in his first year at the U of M.
“Most of the time, I’ve been successful,” Taylor said, laughing. “I think students are going to try and jump it for sure. If I knew I could make it, I would jump it.
I know they want us to be safe, but it seems more like a pain than anything else.”
