Metro Transit officials concerned over Elk River's Northstar station

Metro Transit officials say they're concerned about the safety of commuters crossing tracks to reach the platform at the Northstar rail station in Elk River.

Metro Transit spokesman Bob Gibbons says when passengers arrive at the station in the morning, they park in a lot across the track from the platform.

"We observed with our staff on our platform that the customers were not paying attention to the gate arms and the flashing light and bells that ring at that intersection," Gibbons said. "And instead were crossing over the tracks while those safety warning devices were in use."

Metro Transit positioned Transit police at the Elk River station on Thursday and Friday. Gibbons says Metro Transit has also placed rider alerts on the passenger cars and that people need to follow safety precautions because freight trains also travel through the Northstar station.

Northstar shares the tracks with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway freight trains and in the morning hours with an Amtrak train coming from the west.