Buchanan - Residents of both Compound three and LAC communities in Wee statutory district, Grand Bassa County are now looking forward to Mittal Steel for the construction of a by-pass at a very strategic but dangerous rail road cross point which links the two very populated communities.

A recent meeting between the steel giant and locals proved significant to a process that could help avoid any regrettable incident as community dwellers trek on a very strategic but perilous route. The railroad crossing is use every second by hundreds of people who include concession workers, marketers, and students. Aware of the risks involved in plying this road, a team from Mittel Steel met local authority and citizens to brain storm ideas in other to minimized the risks.

During the days of LAMCO, safety lights were installed at the very point to alarm pedestrians that the train was on its way. Technically, experts are unsure about the effectiveness of this 1960's safety method, considering the increasing huge population in these communities. Some locals recommended an overhead bridge, while others are opting for an underground tunnel.

"We suggested that they built a bridge so that the people won't be crossing the track all the time. And those suggestions that we put in they (Mittal Steel) bought the idea," said Bob Goffa, a senior citizen of Gorblee administrative district.

The District administration seems prepared to implement some safety guidelines that will help reduce the risks ahead of the building of any by-pass. But the impact will be Minimum to avoid the risk. District Superintendent, Abel Nyounbol said measures will be put in place to prevent marketers from selling anywhere near the track. Compound Three has the most famous and busiest market day in the district. On Fridays, thousands of locals assembled at District Three's provisional capital, and hundreds used the rail road crossing en route to the local market, exposing many to danger once the Arcelol-Mittal iron ore train speeds through heading to the port of Buchanan.

Mittal's safety measure looks at reducing the risks and reasons why people are crossing the rail. Hester Pearson, Mittal Steel's head of communications said the meeting was intended to see some of the challenges in reducing the risks.

"Many suggestions came about, in terms of more awareness in this area, alarm light system and we continue to talk about why people are not moving into the market. A lot of suggestions on how we can further enhance the security and safety of the people in this area," Pearson explained to a community radio reporter.

Mittal claims that its number one priority is safety and will work with locals to ensure the cause.

Pearson continues: "We feel that if safety is number one, we need to get into the communities and get the absolute best systems for safe guiding the people. We look at Compound Three because of the population and decided that it will be a great place for us to start a pilot project"

The safety project in Compound Three - which is yet to fully start-, might be extended in other communities that are close to the rail road. For now, the exact project which will avoid people crossing the track is far from happening. Long term measures to reduce the risks will possibly be the building of an overhead crossing-bridge.