Trolley Tracks Need Repair
YAKIMA - A Yakima institution might also be creating a modern-day traffic hazard. KIMA discovered the Yakima trolley tracks are tearing up some cars and making it dangerous to drive. You emailed us, with concerns about damage to the tracks that cross 6th Avenue. We found out who's responsible to make the repairs.
Paul Wilson said, "People stop and just barely creep over them occasionally. Then you get backups out of the parking lot and down the street."
Backups from cars moving slowly over Yakima's historic trolley tracks. The Trolleys only run along Pine street these days, but the Yakima Valley Trolley Organization still tries to keep up with all the rails and lines. However, not all of them are in tip-top shape.
6th Avenue is one of the worst areas along the path of these tracks, but it's not the rails that are the problem. It's the asphalt itself that's sunk down, which is still causing quite a problem for drivers, especially now that this area has more traffic coming through.
KIMA discovered, if a complaint is file the Trolley volunteers investigate, and work with the city to make repairs. A fix was done earlier this year on 5th and Pine.
"It was the guardrail that was the problem and it was coming up and we were afraid it would come up high enough and damage the automobiles. We don't want that," said YVT volunteer, Ed Neel.
But those repairs may take time. YVT is run solely by volunteers and works off donations. There just isn't any money to put into street work. The city tries to help with grant money, but sometimes finding it can be tricky.
When we pointed out the concern, YVT looked over the 6th avenue tracks and agreed some work can be done. The group will work with the city to make it a smoother ride for you.
YVT is also trying to stop thieves from stealing more of its copper wire that helps to guide these trolleys. Earlier this summer they were hit three times in a week near Lions Park and Davis High School. The thieves stole more than 500 feet of copper wiring. And there's no money to replace it.
Paul Wilson said, "People stop and just barely creep over them occasionally. Then you get backups out of the parking lot and down the street."
Backups from cars moving slowly over Yakima's historic trolley tracks. The Trolleys only run along Pine street these days, but the Yakima Valley Trolley Organization still tries to keep up with all the rails and lines. However, not all of them are in tip-top shape.
6th Avenue is one of the worst areas along the path of these tracks, but it's not the rails that are the problem. It's the asphalt itself that's sunk down, which is still causing quite a problem for drivers, especially now that this area has more traffic coming through.
KIMA discovered, if a complaint is file the Trolley volunteers investigate, and work with the city to make repairs. A fix was done earlier this year on 5th and Pine.
"It was the guardrail that was the problem and it was coming up and we were afraid it would come up high enough and damage the automobiles. We don't want that," said YVT volunteer, Ed Neel.
But those repairs may take time. YVT is run solely by volunteers and works off donations. There just isn't any money to put into street work. The city tries to help with grant money, but sometimes finding it can be tricky.
When we pointed out the concern, YVT looked over the 6th avenue tracks and agreed some work can be done. The group will work with the city to make it a smoother ride for you.
YVT is also trying to stop thieves from stealing more of its copper wire that helps to guide these trolleys. Earlier this summer they were hit three times in a week near Lions Park and Davis High School. The thieves stole more than 500 feet of copper wiring. And there's no money to replace it.
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