Rochelle, IL – The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and the Union Pacific (UP) railroad traffic in the City continues to increase following the construction of the Intermodal Facility and the expansion of the City Industrial Rail. This has resulted in additional noise caused by the train horns and whistles. Both the 2009 Comprehensive Plan and the City Council’s Strategic Planning Summary developed in 2011 identify the need to eliminate or mitigate the train noise in our community. This is a quality of life issue, especially for those living and working near the tracks.
Last year the City contracted with Quite Zone Technologies to conduct an evaluation of the BNSF and UP roadway and pedestrian crossings and provide a written report outlining the options involved with reducing train horn noise. Following receipt of that report, Fehr Graham Engineering & Environmental was hired to determine the roadway improvements and estimated costs necessary to meet the Federal Railroad Administration’s requirements to establish a full Quiet Zone for the least initial cost. Fehr Graham subsequently reviewed eleven at-grade crossings and two pedestrian crossings to determine the roadway improvements necessary including pavement widening, realignment, curb and gutter, property acquisition and relocation of access points to construct raised medians or channelization devices. In addition they prepared a color exhibit for each crossing detailing the recommended improvements and an engineer’s estimate of probable cost.
On April 8th, at their regularly scheduled meeting, the Mayor and City Council discussed the Quiet Zone topic, Fehr Graham report and associated timeline. The consensus of the council was to move forward with the diagnostic review phase of the project which will include meeting with all of the parties involved (Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fee, Illinois Department of Transprotation, Illinois Commerce Commission, and the Federal Railroad Administration).
Reference:
Quiet Zone Evaluation prepared by Quiet Zone Technologies
Quiet Zone Analysis Report prepared by Fehr-Graham