Crossing Gate Malfunctions In Libertyville

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Traffic backups were reported Thursday morning in Libertyville after a Metra railroad crossing gate malfunctioned, authorities said. The gate, which was located at the Lake Street railroad crossing, stopped working at about 7:30 a.m.

The issue snarled traffic on southbound and northbound Route 21/Milwaukee Avenue until the problem was fixed and the road was reopened at about 10 a.m., Libertyville Lt. Chad Roszkowiak told Patch in an e-mail response. Traffic had to be diverted at Winchester for all southbound traffic and at Newberry for all northbound traffic.

It's not clear at this point what caused the gate to malfunction.