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Several residents spoke out against the proposed closure of the Hoskins railroad crossing at a High Point City Council meeting in June.

Now, the council will hold a public hearing on the closure at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

The state Department of Transportation's rail division is asking High Point to close the railroad crossing on Hoskins Street between Kivett Drive and Gordon Street and Washington Drive to prevent automobile-train accidents.

Angela Wilson-Newsome , representing the Five Points Pride Association, said the community opposes the closure.

"It's not just a crossing," she said. "It's a major artery that connects residents to (Washington Terrace) Park."

In the eastern portion of the city, the community houses the largest population of African Americans, Wilson-Newsome pointed out. "Families are split by that railroad."

Closing the crossing will further separate those families and the community.

Wilson-Newsome's business is on one side of the tracks and her home on the other. She said gas is too expensive for her to travel farther to reach her business.

Pedestrian traffic will not be blocked, but will be discouraged with the use of a guardrail.

Wilson-Newsome provided a petition with 300 signatures of people opposing the closure.

Councilman Latimer Alexander said traffic may back up at the crossing waiting for a train to pass if the crossing isn't closed.

Wilson-Newsome suggested signs that would alert drivers that the crossing is temporarily closed because of trains so they will know to look for alternate routes.

The city is required to help the state pay for new gates and signals at the crossing if it's not closed, said Transportation Director Mark McDonald .

If the city does close the crossing, the department suggests installing a traffic signal, along with appropriate lane configurations at North College Drive and Davis Street, constructing a second southbound left turn lane on South College Drive at Kivett Drive, constructing a westbound right turn lane on Kivett Drive at South College Drive and rebuilding the Hoskins and Gordon intersections to permanently restrict vehicular access to the crossing.

The state would also assume the cost of a retaining wall between Kivett Drive and the railroad. The city is obligated to pay $406,000.

Councilman Ron Wilkins has said he will not support the closure because it would increase traffic in neighborhoods and destroy the area's history.

In other railroad crossing action, the council approved an agreement with DOT that outlines the terms of the closure incentives, impact mitigation enhancements and project payment options.

The approval of this agreement does not signify the city's desire to close the crossing, said Mayor Becky Smothers.

Contact E.A. Seagraves at 883-4422, Ext. 241; or elizabeth.seagraves@news-record.com