Wheatland Borough Council members are mulling the possibility of closing a railroad crossing at the request of Norfolk Southern railroad.

James Young of the railroad's Pittsburgh office asked council Monday to consider closing a railroad crossing at Mill Street. Closing the crossing will essentially make the road a dead-end at either side of the tracks.

Young said closing crossings reduces the risk of an accident and saves the railroad money because they don't have to maintain them.

In the past Norfolk Southern has given money to communities who agreed to close a railroad crossing. The money has been used for parks, volunteer fire departments and to repair culverts, Young said.

Councilwoman Lorraine Jones asked Young for a dollar amount the company would donate. She also asked to see a map of the proposed crossing and, if possible, a count of how many vehicles use the crossing. "Then we can make a solid decision," she said.

While Norfolk Southern didn't mention it, Mayor Thomas Stanton said the need for a railroad crossing on Council Avenue in front of Wheatland Tube could be eliminated if a loading dock along a railroad siding east of the road were moved to the west side of the road. The loading dock is the only reason there's a crossing on Council, he said.