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Commission reviews FRA crossing inventory and endorses mayoral outreach on quiet‑zone process
Summary
Commissioner Jim presented the FRA inventory of 17 crossings and recommended the mayor contact the FRA and assemble a committee (INDOT, Norfolk Southern, FRA, and a mayoral appointee) to study a possible quiet zone; commissioners identified one inventory error and noted that the Highway 35 crossing could require additional mitigation.
Commissioner Jim presented a Federal Railroad Administration inventory and a map of 17 railroad crossings within the city's jurisdiction and briefed the commission on steps needed to pursue a quiet zone.
Jim explained the inventory and said the materials provided are "the official map" from the FRA and that the inventory lists each crossing with an FRA identification number; he noted one apparent inventory error where an alleyway between Main and Shield streets is listed as a crossing despite having no crossbuck or arms. The group agreed the next step would be for the mayor or city hall to contact the FRA and for the mayor to organize a study committee that would include INDOT, Norfolk Southern, the FRA and a mayoral appointee from city hall. Commissioners observed that crossings on Highway 35—because it is a multi-lane state highway—may need additional channeling or gate changes and that INDOT participation will be necessary.
Members had the materials on hand and agreed to forward copies to the mayor for his use in initiating contacts. Jim summarized the procedural steps required by the FRA inventory (mapping public/private crossings, confirming inventory accuracy, and assembling the committee) and said that once the mayor makes initial contacts, the process would move forward through multi-agency review.
Why it matters: A Federal Railroad Administration quiet zone can reduce train horn noise in populated areas but requires multiagency engineering review and potential roadway or crossing modifications. Next step: the commission recommended that city leadership contact the FRA and convene the committee to verify the inventory and evaluate crossing-specific mitigations.
Provenance: Presentation and committee discussion begin at SEG 1226 and continue through SEG 1577.
