Arlington wants Union Pacific train engineers to ixnay with the orns-hay

by PegNews wire

• Tweet
• Email
• Print
• 9 Comments

Those railroad crossings are supposed to be Quiet Zones.

The City of Arlington is working with Union Pacific Railroad to implement its new quiet zone program along railroad tracks in the northern part of the city.

On, April 16, railroad crossings at Bowen, Davis, and Cooper became designated quiet zones. At these railroad crossings, train engineers have been asked not to sound their horns. According to the Public Works and Transportation Department, quiet zones are designed to decrease noise levels for nearby neighborhoods. Quiet zone signage is posted along the tracks to remind train engineers not to sound their horns.

Last week, the city began receiving calls from residents who say the areas are not the quiet zones they hoped for.

Public Works and Transportation Director Bob Lowry said a small private crossing west of Bowen Road is not a designated quiet zone. He said UPR is working with the property owner to identify a solution. Residents in this area should expect a horn as westbound trains move into this area near Bowen Road, Lowry said.

“We continue to work with Union Pacific to increase awareness about our City’s quiet zone areas,” Lowry said. “Train engineers come from all over the country and they’re trained to sound their horns.”

Additional safety measures in quiet zones include flashing lights, new signage, pavement markings, and raised curbs/medians. Later this fall, railroad crossings at Center and Mesquite streets will join the list of zones.

This project is a cooperative effort involving Union Pacific Railroad and the City of Arlington with grant funding from the North Central Texas Council of Government.

posted by JM

Tweet