Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Quiet Railroad Zone topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
North Oaks council explores pursuing federal ‘quiet zone’ at two crossings
Summary
Council heard a technical briefing on pursuing a federal quiet-railroad-zone designation for the East Oaks and Centerville Road crossings, learned it could take two to three years and cost roughly $30,000–$60,000 per crossing, and directed staff to begin interjurisdictional coordination.
North Oaks City Council members on Jan. 15 heard a presentation on pursuing a federally designated quiet railroad zone for crossings at East Oaks and Centerville Road, but took no formal vote.
Morgan Dawley of WSB Engineering told the council the two crossings appear eligible but that the process requires coordination with multiple jurisdictions, the track owner and federal railroad authorities. Dawley said the owner of the tracks (identified in the presentation as KCPC) typically asks for safety upgrades and that costs for crossing upgrades could run about $30,000 to $60,000 per crossing, while a feasibility effort to determine whether to move forward could cost $10,000 to $20,000. He said the overall approval process can take two to three years from notice of intent to final designation.
Dawley described mitigation options that range from in-road delineators to concrete barriers and audio devices on the crossing itself, noting Minnesota’s climate makes concrete barriers more likely than some lower-cost options used in warmer regions. He also said the railroad must agree to limit horn use in residential areas and may still require the capability to sound horns in an emergency.
Resident Art Andrews, who has researched the topic, told the council he remains engaged with the project and believes other local parties are receptive but reluctant to shoulder costs. Mayor Krista Wolter and other council members asked whether train engineers could still sound horns in emergency situations; Dawley replied that horns can be sounded if required for safety and described how Rosemont used state aid to fund upgrades and then quieted horns in residential stretches.
Administrator Kevin Kress recommended staff meet internally and with White Bear Township, Ramsey County and the North Oaks Homeowners Association (NOHOA) to clarify roles, responsibilities and cost-sharing. Council consensus favored moving forward with interagency research and returning with a recommendation in February.
Next steps: staff will arrange outreach meetings with affected jurisdictions and the track owner to evaluate feasibility and potential funding arrangements before any notice of intent is filed with federal railroad authorities.
