Residents frustrated Norfolk Southern trains continue to block Gastonia intersection

GASTONIA, N.C. — Gastonia residents are upset that a Norfolk Southern train continues to stop and block traffic.

The train was once again halted near Hancock Street, not far from the Gastonia Fire Department on East Ozark Avenue.

Local residents said it happens all the time.

“A lot of times, it's here all day,” driver Chrystal Hamrick said.

“They're always blocking these train tracks.” driver Ronnie Flowers said

“The first time it happened, it lasted four days,” driver Melanie Hunt said.

Norfolk Southern officials said they're seeing a record amount of traffic on the track so sometimes they have to hold a train to help with congestion.

They also said, as far as this train goes, they were working in the area to serve a customer.

A local businesswoman said she's trying to serve her customers too, but has missed entire shipments because of the train blocking the road.

“Or even just back the train up that little distance,” Hunt said.

Other drivers have become frustrated.

“If something bad happened in this neighborhood, the cops couldn't even get through,” Flowers said.

Multiple drivers told Channel 9 that another nearby intersection gets blocked by trains as well.

“Every time I come over here, they're sitting here blocking the tracks. Why? I don't know,” Flowers said.

Cox Media Group