Deadly Train Crossing Improved, Reopened

A railroad crossing has been reopened to traffic for the first time since a commuter train smashed into a school bus, killing seven students.

Officials adjusted traffic signals at the crossing and an adjoining intersection to give vehicles more time to clear the tracks, then watched the signal in action for 12 hours under various conditions.

Seven high school students were killed Oct. 25 after their bus stopped partway over the crossing. A red light at the intersection held up the bus as a train bore down.

Investigators say crossing signals triggered by the approaching train came on too late, failing to let stoplights change to green in time to let waiting traffic clear the tracks.