Railroad crossing shut down to investigate safety after driver’s death, Macon mayor says

A month after an SUV driver was struck and killed by a train in Macon, the railroad intersection was shut down to investigate safety concerns.

Cheryl Rawls, 76, died after her SUV got stuck on the tracks near the intersection on Tucker and Forsyth roads on Nov. 15.

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller was concerned about the intersection’s design and traffic flow. Miller said he would consider “permanent changes that can make (the crossing area) safer,” according to a news release from the county Wednesday.

Traffic over the tracks was closed until further notice starting 10 a.m. Wednesday. Norfolk Southern railroad company will assist with blocking off the railroad crossing between Rivoli Drive and Forsyth Road.

“This temporary adjustment will afford the county the opportunity to investigate safer traffic configurations and options for the area,” Miller posted on Facebook.

It was unclear how long the area would be closed.

This story may be updated as more information becomes available.