Another fatal train accident at a popular shortcut across Derry has renewed borough leaders' push to construct an enclosed overhead walkway across the tracks.

That plan has drawn ire from some residents of this Westmoreland County town, where neither wire fences nor the threat of lofty fines can bar trespassers from darting across the tracks.

As they did after 15-year-old Douglas Albright was killed while crossing the tracks on East First Avenue in July, borough leaders and residents gathered to ponder solutions to the perils Monday, after pausing to mourn Sheila Singer, 37, and her 2-year-old son, John Smart, who were fatally struck Friday.

There was no shortage of suggestions, and no agreed-upon solution. Ideas ranged from surveillance cameras and a jitney to fences and a walkway across the Norfolk Southern tracks, an option favored by some officials.

A spokesman for Norfolk Southern declined to comment on the accidents, and would not say what the railroad's preferred solution to trespassing would be.

The way council President Allen Skopp envisions it, the bridge would be accessible by elevators or ramps and would be enclosed. Though the borough is seeking estimates, he said, similar structures in other areas have cost $800,000 to $1.5 million, a price tag that raised the eyebrows of some residents.

Leaders say they will seek state and federal money as well as donations and grants. But many at the meeting feared that such a move would mean tax increases.

"It's amazing, the mind-set that we're going to pay taxes for this," Mr. Skopp said. "Here's a public safety issue. We've had three people die in 3 1/2 months, and they're worried about 40 cents more a day in taxes. The priorities seem a little bit off to me."

State Sen. Kim Ward, R-Hempfield, who attended the meeting with state Rep. Joe Petrarca, D-Vandergrift, said a long-term solution to the dangers is a "good investment," but the borough needs to agree on what that is before seeking state aid.

"Once they do that, we'll know in the state which direction we need to go," she said. "They need to tell us how we can help them."

Ms. Ward said she would like to see plans expedited to improve a bridge that runs along Route 217, not far from the tracks. The bridge is to be replaced in several years.

Residents said they would use the bridge instead of the tracks, but fast-paced traffic makes walking dangerous, steps leading up to the bridge are inaccessible to the elderly and using it adds time to their trek.

Resident Chuck Derito, who has offered to donate wire fencing from the company he works for, said the best solution would be repairing the existing bridge as soon as possible. Adding an overhead walkway, he added, would be a waste of time and money.

"It's time to find another way of making what we have a little more workable," Mr. Derito said. "If we can fix something to get by, I think that's the best money spent."

Mr. Skopp said round-the-clock borough police presence at the tracks would not be feasible for the lone officer who patrols at any time. Neighborhood watch groups, residents said, don't exist.

Mayor Susan Bortz said she is exploring the possibility of hiring a jitney or shuttle service, but some nonprofit groups contacted serve only certain populations.

She drafted a letter to school officials asking them to make sure students are aware of the borough's "zero-tolerance policy" on crossing the tracks. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., police will cite trespassers and already have, she said. The violation carries a fine of up to $300.

In coming days, workers will mend a 57-foot break in a fence that would bar trespassers. But they know it will likely be torn down again.

Most agreed the difficult task will be breaking the long-held mentality that it's OK to walk on train tracks. Railroad safety is taught in Derry schools. But it's not necessarily taught at home, resident Colleen Kuhns said.

"We need someone to tell these kids -- listen, this is not safe," she said. "Some people don't use common sense. You can spend money up the wazoo, but someone needs to tell these people -- listen, you should not do this."

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.