MANITOWOC — Motorists may want to be more careful approaching three railroad crossings beginning today as trains going through those intersections will no longer stop to warn traffic.

Previously, train staff would dismount the train and "flag" traffic to ensure no accidents, but a recent order from the Wisconsin commissioner of railroads removes that requirement.

The three affected crossings include South 14th and South 26th streets near Franklin Street and South Water Street near South 13th Street.

The commissioner's order indicates that because of the low speeds of both the trains and the vehicle traffic moving through those areas, the flagging action is not necessary. According to the order, two to four trains pass through the area daily, and the last accident occurred in 1982 at the South 26th Street crossing. No accidents have occurred at the other two crossings since 1973.

A representative from Canadian National recently appeared at a city meeting asking that Manitowoc install stop signs at the three crossings, Deputy City Engineer Greg Minikel said. The city denied, saying it would be too troublesome for motorists to stop traffic along those corridors.

"I guess we didn't feel it would be in the public interest," Minikel said.

South Water Street, for example, is what the city calls a "minor arterial" street. Stopping traffic would impede motorists, Minikel said, and could cause issues with stopped cars blocking intersections.

The yield signs and reflective crossbucks should be plenty of warning to motorists, Minikel said.

"At that low of speed, I don't think we have too many visibility issues," Minikel said.