Protruding spikes and wide gaps in the wood made the old railroad bed treacherous to cyclists along DeKalb Avenue.

The crossing has been the scene of several biker accidents —- one resulting in medical expenses in excess of $100,000, said Atlanta attorney and cyclist Ken Rosskopf.

Local cycling advocacy groups have sought to have the tracks, abandoned by CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads years ago, removed or paved over. After recent efforts, the city of Atlanta is fixing the problem, but it's been a bumpy process.

An inability to determine ownership of the crossing just west of Krog Street slowed progress.

Rosskopf, who several years ago represented an injured cyclist in a lawsuit, says an exhaustive search of Fulton County records as far back as 1856 showed no record of titles or rights-of-way for the crossing.

Late last year, Rebecca Serna —- just weeks into her new job as executive director of the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign —- got involved when a friend was injured at the crossing. Serna contacted Atlanta Public Works and she said f she was told the city didn't own the right of way and couldn't help her. Officials there suggested she call CSX. "I called CSX, Norfolk Southern, even Beltline investors trying to determine ownership," Serna said. Nobody was claiming the crossing.

She finally got some help from the city, where officials said they "decided to take action in the interest of public safety." On Feb. 8, a crew removed the tracks and put down temporary asphalt. Another crew will return before the end of the month for milling and final paving.