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Tuesday, 03 November 2009 |
By WILLIAM LANEY
Managing Editor
With the recent paving of the Perry Street crossing, CSX officials told city administrators they now intend to conduct a study, at the request of the city, about the possibility of creating a quiet zone in Wapakoneta.
“Notification about a CSX review will be coming to us in letter form and they will give us an outline of the criteria which will be followed by an on-site review,” Mayor Rodney Metz told the Wapakoneta Daily News after Monday’s Wapakoneta City Council meeting. “The person who will make the contact with me is the person who will conduct the review.”
The subject of quiet zones arose during the October Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks meeting. Councilors discussed the issue after 4th Ward Councilor Dan Graf reported on the meeting minutes of the last Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks Committee, which Graf chairs.
A quiet zone is a railroad grade crossing where trains are prohibited from sounding their horns, except in emergency situations. Quiet zones decrease the noise level for nearby residential neighborhoods.
To qualify as a quiet zone, crossing guards and lights must be installed at each railroad grade crossing to help ensure the safety of motorists because a train’s horn will not be activated. The additional safety measures must be constructed at the community’s own expense and must meet federal specifications, according to a news release from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Judy and Mike Walter, who live east of the railroad track on East Pearl Street, requested city councilors and administrators investigate the possibility of establishing a quiet zone for Wapakoneta in 2007. They also made councilors aware of directional horns, which warn motorists but the sound does not carry as loud to neighboring residences.
Metz said he intends to continue to gather information and to have on-going discussions with CSX officials.
“Right now, I am after more information,” Metz said. “The preliminary information that we were given indicates that it is very expensive to install the gates and crossings and the horns and there is a great deal of liability to be assumed by the city.”
In discussions with leaders from other cities, the mayor said they did not hold the same opinion, but “their communities are not laid out the same as our city.” Fostoria is listed as a quiet zone city.
“The one thing I have learned is it does truly depend on each individual city and how the rail goes through the city because of all the points of concern and safety,” Metz said. “It is not just automotive grade crossings, there is a great deal of concern for pedestrian traffic.”
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 04 November 2009 )
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