KIMBALL TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The people who live in one Michigan neighborhood are stuck in a tricky spot between a construction project and stalled trains.
Residents of a Kimball Township neighborhood near Port Huron say they’re facing daily isolation as stalled trains and bridge construction leave them with no reliable exit route from their homes.
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The situation stems from an ongoing $2.1 million Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) project to improve the Allen Road bridge over Interstate 69.
While the construction aims to provide a smoother, safer driving surface upon completion in July, it has created immediate challenges for local residents.
“We are trapped,” said Jennifer Hauck, a resident who described wait times ranging from “25 minutes to 3 hours” when trains block their only available exit route.
The construction project, which began in March, closed the I-69 overpass on Allen Road, leaving southbound travel as the sole escape route for the neighborhood.
However, residents report that the Canadian National Rail Line frequently stalls on the tracks across this path, effectively cutting off access to and from their homes.
“I get anxiety just going down my road because I am like, am I going to get to work?” Hauck said.
“It’s quite frequent, and it’s not like, ‘Hey, we are stuck here for 5 or 10 minutes. It’s hours. It can be hours on end that that train is sitting there,” said Stacey Woycehoski.
Emergency Access Concerns
The situation has raised serious safety concerns among residents, particularly regarding emergency vehicle access.
“Not only are we trapped in, but emergency vehicles are trapped out,” said Louanne Hengemuehle, another resident affected by the closures.
Ross Campbell, who also lives nearby, expressed personal health concerns.
“If I have a heart attack right now, I can’t get out,” said Hengemuehle.
Seeking Solutions
Residents say they’ve reached out to multiple agencies, including the state, township, MDOT, and the rail line, but report getting little response.
“We’ve contacted many sources and nothing,” Hengemuehle said.
The bridge construction is scheduled for completion in July 2025, offering some hope for resolution.
However, residents emphasize the immediate need for alternative access points or better coordination with the railway to prevent extended blockages.
“We want to be heard over here. We deserve to be heard. This is ridiculous. We are done,” Hauck said.
“Plan better. You know, open communication. Something,” Woycehoski said.
“We are aware of the ongoing issues and are concerned about maintaining access to this neighborhood during reconstruction of the Allen Road bridge over I-69. Unfortunately, there are no other options to provide immediate egress for residents in the area. We have reached out to CN, and they are looking into the situation. MDOT has no regulatory oversight over railroad operations, including blocked crossings. For emergencies or other problems, we recommend that people contact the railroad using the blue emergency notification sign located at the railroad crossing or at 1-800-465-9239."
Michigan Department of Transportation
“CN was made aware of a frequently blocked crossing concern that was recently raised by local citizens in Kimball Township. We are actively working with the Township and other stakeholders to better understand the situation on Allen Road and to identify both interim and long-term solutions. Safety is a core value at CN, and we remain committed to being a good neighbour and addressing these concerns in a collaborative and responsible manner.”
Canadian National Railway
