We understand that the train tracks have “always” been there (before the school), but if RCTC improves the train track as part of the project – it brings more train traffic (Metrolink for sure) and, prehaps more importantly, opens the potential for a lot more freight trains (which pose an even greater danger to our students). In the draft EIR report (Environmental Impact Report) RCTC has disregarded our concerns and requests regarding the safety of our students (see pgs 2-43 and 2-44 of EIR).
Bottomline, we are concerned about safety based on 3 basic items:
- Grade crossings – clearly there has already been a history of injury and death regarding these crossings including the most recent loss of an Arlington HS student a year ago.
- Possible derailment, etc. – obviously a “tumbling” train is a huge risk to students that are less than 100 feet away from the event. As you can see from the picture above, gravity also plays a part in all of this.
- Jet Fuel Line – you probably didn’t know this but in the RR track bed at Highland school is a 6 inch Jet Fuel line that operates at 1000 PSI (pounds per square inch). This line is only a couple of feet underground in some places and again some type of serious train derailment, could obviously rupture the pipe and create a horrific explosion in extremely close proximity to our children.
Before we start a call to action, we need to examine that there are benefits to this proposal. In a time when people are leaving this state in record numbers to find work, we cannot throw away potential jobs because of something that might happen and probably never will happen. Like it was stated above, these railroad tracks were there before the school was built. What was RUSD hoping for, that the train tracks would hopefully disappear some day? This is something that is good for our whole community and the cities surrounding us.
ReplyDeletePlease look at the information about what this project can do for our area and for job growth: http://www.perrisvalleyline.info/partners&funding.asp
And here is the article from the PE: http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_perrisline22.30c327b.html
There are far more important matters facing the school district and this worst case scenario from a summer blockbuster movie should not be one of them.
It is always a "blockbuster" scenario...until it happens. The above poster obviously must not have children at either school. Maybe the train expansion should own the cost of relocating the school, if they want to expand services to that region of the county. That way people who use the lines can be responsible for the impact of the "upgrade".
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though these schools should be shut down immediately for the safety of the students any of those freak accidents (grade crossings, possible derailment, and the jet fuel line oh my!) could happen today!
ReplyDeleteI work at Highland and wouldn't mind moving to a new Hawthorne-like campus. Highland is over 50 years old and the commuter situation in SoCal is horrible. I agree with the above poster that the RR should pay for a new campus or maybe combine the schools into one big campus. However, because this change would make union teachers slightly alter thier commutes and because it's student (not union teacher) based, I'm sure the RCTA would object.
ReplyDeleteCertainly we would expect that RUSD perform it's due diligence prior to throwing the baby out with the bath water. What are the net gains +/- for society of this rail line? If you have known about the high pressure lines, then why have you waited so long to come forth with that information? Collaboration accomplishes more than playing the blame game!
ReplyDeleteRight now our district is in the middle of a crisis but I do want to thank the district for thinking of the safety of all the kids at Highland and Hyatt. There are not only safety issues but also health issues to consider, such as, asthma. If the Perris valley lines gets approved there could potentially be an endless number of trains on those tracks. Highland and Hyatt have had numerous problems with the trains over the years. Our kids have even seen terrible travesties that have happened on those tracks.
ReplyDeleteWhat I do hope all of you understand is that this is not an easy problem to solve. On one hand it is for the good of the community but on the other it is right next to my child school. It may seem silly to many of you that perhaps a fuel line may break and blow children to bits but the reality is that it is unsafe and the potential is there.
Would you want your child right next to a constant barrage of trains? I don't think I do!
Yeah, a new school is a great idea but do you think Metrolink with buy us one because I don't think RUSD or anyone else will. What are we to do? Should we tell Metrolink go forward with their plan and let our kids suffer for the "good of the community?" If you can get a new school out of the deal I say go for it, otherwise, I am a little frightened by the prospect.
So check this out: An elementary school has horrible traffic problems at the school due to construction and the fact the school was built to handle less than half the students it currently has. Motorists, most of whom are parents, practice extreme unsafe driving behaviors putting children in danger every time they arrive and exit the school. City officials, school administration, and parents work to make the situation more safe.
ReplyDeleteOutcome:
Parents, madder than Hell that they have been "inconvenienced" with the new precautions taken to keep THEIR children alive. Commenting that "NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED, RIGHT?"
Ignorance! Pure Ignorance!
I live in the UCR neighorhood (Spruce St.) and have for a long time. The fact is that RUSD built Highland and Hyatt well after the train tracks were put down and March AFB was built in 1918 with the jet fuel line following shortly thereafter. If the train tracks and the jet fuel line are such a big deal WHY did the schools get built in the first place? By law the trains have to slow way down in speed passing through the this neighborhood so let us thoughtfully move forward and not stop progress.
ReplyDeleteI also live in the neighborhood and am a parent at Highland. Progress is great as long as the project is completed with our children's best interest at heart. Safety First!
ReplyDeleteWas the concern over safety of the children at Hyatt discussed during the recent school closure meetings? If the children are in such danger, close the school and relocate the students. As stated in previous comments, the rail line is not going to suddenly "go away" and take the jet fuel line with it.
ReplyDelete