Wayside Horns Tested Successfully, RR Quiet Zone Could Start Oct. 21
Alert reader Mark Obermeyer sent a “wassup” email to Kane County Connects last week with the following query, (although how he stays alert given the night-time interruptions we’re not sure):
I noticed the railroad wayside warning horns at the Union Pacific railroad crossings of LaFox and Brundidge roads, but the horns are still blasting.
Do you when the trains will get signaled to stop blowing horns at 3, 4, 5 a.m. ??
Sincerely,
Mark Obermeyer
I forwarded Mark’s query to alert Kane County Board member Drew Frasz, who returned some good news:
The system is installed, and in a 30-day test period by Union Pacific. They say on or by Halloween. Our work was done by July, but we are at the mercy of UP as it is their system and they are understandably cautious with their crossings.
Drew Frasz
And that good news was followed almost immediately by some even better news from another alert official source:
UP RR Staff,
Based upon the successful testing of the Wayside Horn System at LaFox Road (DOT 175004L) and Brundige Road (DOT 175003E) yesterday, attached is the official 21-day notice to the UP RR that the wayside horn system at these two locations will be in operation on Oct. 21, 2015. The UP RR should cease routine sounding of the trail horns at these two locations on Oct. 21, 2015. A hard copy of this notice will be sent through U.S. mail to the UP RR and all those cc’d on the attached letter.
Sincerely,
Steve Coffinbargar
Assistant Director of Transportation – Implementation
Kane County Division of Transportation
So, there you have it. The long-awaited quiet zone in the Mill Creek area will start getting quiet later this month. It’s been a long saga — a process that’s been in the making since 2007 and one that Frasz describes as “the longest project I’ve been involved with.” To get a little bit of the background …
Read More
- Train Horn Noise Might Soon Be Quieted in Mill Creek Area
- After Years, Mill Creek Area About to Get Some Relief From Train Noise
