By HANNAH GUILLAUME/Frontiersman
PALMER - A man driving an earth mover with a canceled and revoked license tore out the tracks of the Alaska Railroad near downtown Palmer last week.
 ROBERT DeBERRY/Frontiersman A large piece of heavy equipment moved over the railroad tracks at the Inner Springer Loop and the Glenn Highway in Palmer bent and broke the tracks. |
Investigation revealed Michael Smith, 59, of Palmer was the driver of the earth mover, according to Alaska State Troopers reports. He was released at the scene after being issued a court summons.
The tracks, crossing over Inner Springer Loop and the Glenn Highway, will take 12 hours to replace, Wheeler said. The railroad is teaming up with the Alaska Department of Transportation to close the intersection for repairs within the next 30 days. This could mean Inner Springer Loop and the Glenn Highway intersection could be closed during the Alaska State Fair in Palmer.
Wheeler said it is uncertain if the railroad will take legal action against Smith or request him to pay the cost of repairs, which are still being estimated.
Track warrants for operation are no longer being issued for trains in that area, she said, adding the closure could effect at least one customer, but she could not release the customer's name.
“It's not impacting our operations now, at this point,” she said of the damage.
Contact Hannah Guillaume at 352-2284 or hannahguillaume@yahoo.com.
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