Train noise mitigation is back on the table for the Carroll City Council. For more than two decades, this issue has been on the top of many Carroll residents’ wish lists. During Monday’s meeting, Bolton and Menk, Inc. representatives joined city officials for a work session on the feasibility of making Carroll a quiet zone, which would significantly reduce how often train horns are blown as locomotives pass through town. Many residents are familiar with the quiet zone debate, as it has been a discussion since the turn of the millennium. Principal engineer, Greg Broussard, explains the purpose for those unfamiliar with the designation.
Hazard mitigation options include installing quad gates to prevent vehicles from weaving through the crossing gates, implementing concrete medians to keep vehicles in their lanes, or closing underused crossings. Depending on which path the council decides, Carroll could receive a “qualified” designation, meaning the risk level would be reviewed once every 4.5 years, or a “reviewable” designation with 2.5 years between risk evaluations. Bolton and Menk created a tool for the council to compare each measure’s cost and risk reduction. At-Large Councilman, LaVern Dirkx, says he could not find a configuration that would be approved for less than $1.7 million.
Broussard notes the city could receive a reviewable designation for around $750,000 plus engineering fees, but that runs the risk of potentially losing the quiet zone as risk factors change. For example, the city could close a crossing to remove it from the risk calculation, but it would likely never reopen for motor vehicle traffic. The council could also choose to install directionally fixed wayside horns at certain sites as an alternative to the omnidirectional train horn sounding, but it is unclear how loud those horns would be. Ward Two Councilwoman, Misty Boes, says previous quiet zone proposals were cost-prohibitive, but this is the first time it seemed within reach.
The council did not take any formal action during Monday’s work session. Mayor Mark Beardmore indicated the topic would be returning to the council’s agenda during upcoming meetings. A copy of the risk/cost tool created by Bolton and Menk is included below.
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Additional Options Calculator (xls)
