Grand Island Director of Public Works John Collins: "Traffic is as much psychology as engineering."

The City of Grand Island will employ both psychology and engineering in continuing attempts to dissuade pedestrians and cyclists from using the now closed west side of Pine Street railroad crossing.

At a press conference held just last Friday afternoon, the resumption of the downtown quiet zone was welcomed as a triumph of teamwork on the part of city, county, and federal officials working closely with Union Pacific.

But despite the erection of temporary barriers on Pine Street's west side, folks on foot or two wheels had train horns blasting again by Friday night.

One of the problems with the temporary barriers is that you can walk right around them. While some obey the crossing closing signs, many others don't.

The city plans to install a chain-link fence, and place a thirty-four ton landscaping rock to deter crossing on the west side of the street.

John Collins: "We're also going to have some permanent barricades in similar locations to where the existing ones are, along with some signage both in English and in Spanish instructing people to cross and use the other side."

So what's the penalty if you just don't feel like crossing over?

Grand Island Police Department Officer Butch Hurst: "If someone would happen to go around these barricades and cross at that location, they can be cited for trespassing."