Tuesday afternoon at approximately 2:50pm, a traffic incident involving a large grain cart occurred at Railroad & 12th street in Guymon. “No injures were reported, but the damage left by the incident has completely closed through traffic at the Railroad tracks”, said Guymon Fire Chief Grant Wadley.
The grain cart struck the main crossing arm assembly on the north side which cause the entire crossing structure to collapse onto 12th Street. Also included in the damage was a street light pole and power lines above. The damage was severe enough that power lines and connection points below ground were damaged which controls the crossing arms functions.
Guymon Police Department assisted by Guymon Fire Department, Tri-County Electric, City of Guymon Streets Department, Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Union Pacific offices were on scene for 2 hours securing the scene and stopping all traffic. At approximately 5:30pm, train traffic was opened but 12th street remained closed for vehicle traffic.
Today, 12th Street in the area of the railroad tracks is still completely closed and will remain closed till further notice. It is anticipated vehicle traffic will be opened late Friday according to Union Pacific officials at the site. This greatly affects traffic patterns in Guymon including truck and commercial traffic and emergency responders on Hwy 64. “The 12th Street Railroad crossing at this moment is considered unprotected and especially dangerous for any vehicles or pedestrians which is the reason 12th street is closed to traffic”, said Chief Wadley.
City of Guymon officials and ODOT will notify the public when 12th street reopens in cooperation with Union Pacific Railroad.