A freight train appeared to suffer a mechanical issue and blocked three railroad crossings for around four hours in Grayslake Thursday evening, affecting emergency response and causing major traffic delays.
The freight train reportedly stalled at around 5:30 p.m. Thursday on the Canadian National (CN) rail line in Grayslake.
The crossings on Center Street between Seymour Avenue and Railroad Avenue, Route 120 west of Route 83 and Route 83 west of Route 137 were blocked.
Heavy traffic delays, especially from 5 to 6 p.m., were reported.
“A stalled train is obstructing numerous railroad crossings in town,” the Village of Grayslake said.
“Please consider alternate east/west routes such as Washington Street, Rollins Road or Peterson Road.”
The train appeared to suffer some type of mechanical failure.
Personnel with the Grayslake Fire Protection District were forced to detour while they were responding to a vehicle crash with injuries on Casey Road east of Route 45 at around 5:35 p.m., fire department radio traffic indicated.
At around 7:30 p.m., the Grayslake Fire Protection District responded to another crash at Route 120 and Atkinson Road.
An ambulance was requested to respond from Grayslake Fire Protection District Station #2 because the stalled train delayed personnel responding from Station #1, radio traffic indicated.
Grayslake Police Chief Jeff Myhra said that his officers used Lake Street because it was unobstructed by the train.
“We also have district cars on the east side of the tracks,” Myhra added.
James Ricci, who frequently drives down Center Street, said he was “frustrated.”
“I just went to the pool, I came back, I’m trying to go out of here, and we’re stuck by the train. I got mosquito bites, I’m trying to get home and take a shower, it’s ridiculous,” Ricci said.
“I’ve never seen it backed up like this before,” he added.
The train began moving at 9:19 p.m. and appeared to clear all the crossings without further incident.