Union Pacific and two other railroads use the rail line that parallels the corridor, and federal rules currently require them to signal their approach to road intersections in the area. Residents who live nearby are weary of the horns, which sound day and night, and have been working to create a quiet zone for years.
The group learned Dec. 14 that about 97 percent of 944 residents who responded to the city of Houston's survey on the proposed Washington Avenue Quiet Zone favor the project.
As a result, the city expects to begin construction in January to improve safety on roadways that intersect the rail line, including street closings on Bonner and Thompson. The projects, which also include median enhancements, are needed to meet Federal Railroad Administration rules for quiet zones, which exempt train crews from sounding their horns as they approach road crossings.
“You will still hear horn blows. If someone is on or near the tracks, the engineers are required to blow the horns. But it won't start a quarter mile from the crossings like now,” said Jeff Weatherford of the city's Public Works and Engineering Department. “It will be significantly reduced, and hopefully there won't be anyone walking on the track at two in the morning.”
The city will submit its notice of intent to create the quiet zone later this month, Weatherford said. Little opposition is expected from Union Pacific or the other railroads that use the line based on planning done so far.
However, construction on the far north end of the project at Sherwin could be delayed by as much as 13 months, he said. Union Pacific learned its existing gate there can't be modified to extend across the street, he said. The quiet zone wouldn't be observed at that intersection until a new gate is installed, he said.
A suggestion was made that the street be narrowed, since it is already a one-way street at the crossing. If the street is narrower, the existing gate mechanism might work, he offered.
Weatherford said that may solve the issue and said he would work to implement the idea.
In any case, the city expects to receive its notice from FRA of establishment of the quiet zone by late March or early April. The quiet zone would begin 21 days later, Weatherford said.
If horns continue to blow after the zone is in effect, Weatherford suggested residents note the time of occurrence and contact the city or Union Pacific. The railroads have taken a hard line against violations of the quiet zones and typically issue a reprimand if it occurs twice, he said.
The city also expects to establish a quiet zone in Houston's First Ward, where a federal signal improvement project is under way along Winter Street. The quiet zone there could be established in May or June, Weatherford said. In all, six quiet zones are envisioned in Houston. Only one is in place now; it is located at the West Loop through Bellaire and West University Place.
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