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Local Marina Blocked from Business Due to Railroad Cutting Access
Sam McCrossin, owner of McCrossin Landing, is losing his livelihood since a railroad blocked the only road leading to his business. Standing in the empty parking lot, McCrossin said that financially, the situation is ruining him, and he cannot even put a number on it. In 2017, McCrossin purchased the property along the Monongahela River, where he built a marina, restaurant, and bar, which opened in 2023 for one season. However, in 2022, CSX sent him a cease and desist letter, claiming the access road is their property and that McCrossin has no rights to use it.
According to McCrossin’s attorney, businesses in the same spot have used the road for 120 years, and it is the only way in for McCrossin’s business. “Pretty much dumbfounded that a multi-billion dollar company can come and put the little man out of business overnight,” McCrossin said. McCrossin’s Landing, which should have been preparing for its second season, is now closed, and McCrossin sent boaters to find other docks. He also put his liquor license on hold and offered to pay CSX for access.
As a small business owner, McCrossin said that he wants to be able to run his business, but as of now, he is not sure if he can recover from this situation. He also mentioned that his small excavating business that he was housing off-season on the property is stuck on the other side of the tracks.
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reached out to CSX, but the company has not replied after several days. The lack of access to the property is trapping McCrossin’s livelihood, and he hopes that the situation can be resolved soon.
