Rotted boards, exposed bolts, and dead animals align the railroad crossing at Audrain County Road 443. However, another issue worries county employees far more.

The support system for the railroad tracks has experienced erosion because of Missouri's heavy rains. As the eroded grows, it moves closer to the track itself. The track belongs to the Kansas City Southern Company that runs six trains through the crossroads daily.

One Audrain County employee estimates that the eroded area on the north side of the crossroads has grown by a foot and a half since may. As a result there is now only a three step clearance between the train tracks and the eroded area.

Tom Monroe, a civil engineer for the county believes that this problem could lead to a disaster.

"If nothing is done, eventually, there will be an accident, whether its a car or a train or both," Monroe said.

Several county employees have contacted the railroad company in regards to this railroad crossing. However, Kansas City Southern has not taken any steps towards fixing it.

Roger Young, the Eastern District County Commissioner, claims that every attempt the county has taken to maintain railroad property has been met with a severe scolding by Kansas City Southern. This leaves the railroad company as the only entity able to begin the repairs.

"We would like to work with them to try to do something, but its really up to them because they own 50 feet on both sides of this track," Young said.

Monroe remembers when both he and the County were confronted with this issue.

"The railroad sounded like they were going to do something to rectify the situation," Monroe said. "That's been a couple years ago."

County employees have been complaining about this issue for the past 4 years. Representatives from Kansas City Southern refused to comment on this story.