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Residents press council as staff weighs $460,000 gates-and-lights option to end horn noise
Summary
A resident raised complaints about frequent, loud train horns in Billings Park; staff said Federal Railroad Administration rules limit options and BNSF estimated $460,000 to install lights and gates at the 20th/28th crossing or the alternative of closing the road.
A Billings Park resident told the Superior Common Council on Aug. 20 that frequent train horns are disturbing neighborhood sleep and displacing tenants; staff said federal rules limit options and presented two costly remedies.
"They're very, very loud. And they're really disturbing a lot of individuals that are down in that area," resident George Tregoski said during public comment, describing horn noise that reaches nearby blocks and asking what the city planned to do.
Public works staff explained the city has pursued quiet-zone extensions but was denied and that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulation controlling train-horn patterns and decibel levels constrains local options. Assistant Public Works Director Todd Janico (referred to in the meeting as Todd) told the council the city has two primary options to stop horns at the North 28th Street crossing: sign an agreement with BNSF Railway to install lights and gates at that crossing, or close the road.
"The recent estimate from BNSF is $460,000 to install lights and gates at that crossing," Janico said, adding that the construction timeline after agreement signature would be about a year. Staff also warned that installing lights and gates may not eliminate all horn use in emergency or switching operations and that a larger north-third corridor program of gates and lights could cost roughly $4 million.
Staff said the city's waiver/exception requests were denied and that a previous accident in the area increased the FRA-assessed risk and removed eligibility for a pre-emptive quiet zone. Janico and other staff said they had contacted federal representatives; Councilor Harris said he planned to raise the issue with Congressman Duffy.
City staff asked the council for direction and said they hoped to present a recommendation within 60 days so the council could decide whether to sign an improvement agreement with BNSF. If the council approves an agreement, Janico said BNSF estimated about a year to complete the lights-and-gates work.
Council members and residents said the problem affects multiple crossings and neighborhoods and urged a prompt response. Councilor Mackenzie and others noted the city has raised the issue with federal and railroad officials in the past but emphasized the practical impact on renters and homeowners whose sleep and quality of life are affected.
