A truck crosses the railroad tracks on Hickory Street Thursday morning. ALDOT and CSX are planning to upgrade this crossing with signals and gates. However, the tree by the Freight House Restaurant and a tree near this stop sign will have to be removed while the upgrades are installed. | Brent Maze

The Alabama Department of Transportation and CSX railroad are planning to upgrade the railroad crossing on Hickory Street in downtown Hartselle to include lights and gates.

Mayor Don Hall announced the plans during a Hartselle City Council work session this week, which will come at no cost to the city.

“What stood out to me  is that it won’t cost us a penny,” Hall said. “They are fully funding the project. All they need from us is our support.”

Department of Development Director Jeff Johnson said ALDOT and CSX approached the city about the crossing while former Mayor Dwight Tankersley was in office. Johnson said ALDOT and the railroad company needed gain temporary easements from the Freight House Restaurant and another landowner near the tracks to remove a couple of trees near the crossing.

“They said the trees would obstruct the view of the signals and gates once they are installed,” Johnson said. “They wanted to get temporary easements from the landowners to go on to their properties and remove the trees. We talked to the Freight House and the other landowner and they indicated that they would give permission at that time.”

Johnson said the city would send the temporary easement agreements to the landowners in the near future.