Shabbona board debates quiet-zone reapplication, costs and third-rail questions

During the old-business portion of the meeting the board resumed a long-running discussion about pursuing a railroad quiet-zone designation. An ICC representative had told the village the crossing scores numerically qualify, but told the board some safety features need work before a quiet zone could be approved. Board members discussed potential upgrades — sidewalk and grade adjustments, gating changes and whether to remove a third rail that the railroad stores and sometimes uses for maintenance.

One member summarized costs discussed to date: the village has already spent roughly $60,000 on related work and members estimated an additional $100,000 could be needed for improvements, though they emphasized the figures were preliminary. Several trustees said they preferred to submit an updated application and learn what FRA/ICC determine rather than pre-pay major engineering work. Others urged new engineering to refresh traffic counts and application data so the village can accurately present current numbers.

The board considered possible funding sources and whether the ICC or the railroad would cover gate/fencing costs. Members noted that ICC indicated it could move funds around for pedestrian crossing fixes, but that the village may need to pay for sidewalks and regrading. No final decision was made; the board resolved to look at the quiet-zone application requirements and consider whether to reapply at the next meeting.