Fallen railroad crossing shuts down Petaluma intersection

Police and rail transit officials closed the intersection of E. Washington Street and Lakeville streets early Saturday morning from an act of vandalism that cause a railroad crossing to fall into the roadway.

Police responded to reports of a railroad crossing blocking the intersection eastbound of East Washington Street at 1:45 a.m. One witness said they saw two men climbing on the railroad crossing, which made it fall into the street. The two suspects then fled the scene, police report.

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit workers will work in the area to repair the railroad crossing over the next few days.

Weekend work was already planned at the northbound U.S. Highway 101 off-ramp to E. Washington Street, which will shut down the ramp until Monday morning to allow for widening work.

Anyone with more information on the case is asked to contact the Petaluma Police Department at 707-778-4372.

Nik Wojcik of SFBay contributed to this report.