City of Burlington City Administrator Kevin Lahner announced late Thursday that the city’s request for a varience – allowing the city to retain quiet zone status and eliminate the need for Canadian Railroad trains to sound their horns – was denied.
The press release reads:
The City of Burlington’s request for a waiver petition that would allow more time to comply with the Federal Railroad Administration’s quiet zone requirements has been denied. This means that Wisconsin Central/Canadian National Railroad trains are required to blow their horns as they traverse the City of Burlington, as they have been since June 26 of this year.
The City will continue to work with all applicable federal agencies and the railroad in an effort to reestablish the quiet zone as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the approval process and required federal processes for the establishment of a quiet zone is a lengthy one and we are unsure of how long the entire process will take. The City filed various applications and documents months ago as well as supplied additional documentation to support our application in May and June of this year. Additionally, more than 90 people submitted comments in support of our waiver application.
Below is a description of when and how the trains are required to sound their horns:
The rule is engineers must begin to sound train horns at least 15 seconds and no more than 20 seconds in advance of all public grade crossings. Train horns must be sounded in a standardized pattern of 2 long, 1 short and 1 long blasts. The pattern must be repeated or prolonged until the lead locomotive or lead cab occupies the rail crossing. The rule does not stipulate the duration of long and short blasts.
Since the City’s multiple crossings are located in close proximity, and the horn sounds for each crossing, it may seem like the horn is sounding in excess of the requirements.
Please be advised that federal law dictates these requirements and the City cannot enact local legislation to prevent the horns from sounding. Additionally, the State of Wisconsin cannot enact state legislation that would stop the horns from sounding.
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bring on the whining of people who dont have everything revolve around them
Petition Denied
My deepest sympathies for those that live in proximity to the train crossings. My wife and I lived at the Boardwalk apartments for a short while after we lost our home in the 2008 January tornado. The trains themselves can be very loud and difficult to live with, but to also be blasted with the train horns must be absolutely horrendous!
How the scam works.
1. Feds trump state train horn laws.
2. Train horns whistle whip people into submission.
3. Railroad comes in and makes a fortune in overcharges and stolen signal equipment (OURS).
4.Somebody (not railroads) has to pay for ridiculous priced liability insurance so railroad is hold harmless.
5.The crossings for GPS crew-less trains hid behind the curtains not a problem for railroads.
6. Warren Buffett starts his 41st vault of silver.
warren buffet has nothing to do with the railroad
I agree 100%!!!
WTMJ reports that Burlington was notified in 2007 that updates were needed at crossings by 2013. Is this a case of some mis-filed paperwork or the city not following through on requirements? Is anyone else a little curious? The horns do not affect me at all, thus, I could care less about the noise etc. I am only curious about the conflicting stories…which is it Mr. Lahner?