Quiet Zone to Provide Noise Relief from Train Horns
Bensenville, IL - Residents along the Milwaukee West/Metra Line in Bensenville will finally see relief from mandatory horn activation at crossings in the Village. On July 8th, the Village of Bensenville received Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approval of a Quiet Zone along this very active freight and commuter rail line.
To qualify for the Quiet Zone, the Village will be required to construct certain safety improvements at the Church Road, Addison Street, and Center Street crossings. These improvements include driveway closures and the installation of barrier curbs and flexible delineators to safely channelize traffic at intersections. Also included is a way side horn located at the York Road crossing to provide audible warning of on-coming trains.
"The Village explored multiple options with varying degree of cost and scope while trying to establish this Quiet Zone." stated Village President Frank Soto "A way side horn is one of the most practical and cost effect approaches to achieve Quiet Zone approval, and was well received by our residents and business owners during our demonstration last year." The Village included upgrades to ensure the highest degree of safety improvements needed to satisfy the preferred stringent Federal standards. "The costs of improvements add value to residents in terms of safety and quality of life, particularly those living near the Metra Line," added Soto.
In May of 2013 residents and businesses in the downtown area where invited to see and listen to a demonstration of what the horn would sound like before the Village moved forward with this approach. "This is a best practice to minimize excessive noise from train horns while continuing to provide safe conditions for motorists and pedestrians", Soto said.
"I can't express enough how grateful my wife and I are to the administration of Bensenville, for all of their hard work to get the Quiet Zone approved. I would like to especially thank the Village Manager Michael Cassady, for his willingness to always be available to update us on the status of the Quiet Zone." stated Village Residents Mr. & Mrs. Tod Bean "We live right near the tracks, so the news of a Quiet Zone being put in place, will have a huge beneficial impact on the quality of ours and our neighbor's lives. We are looking forward to more peaceful mornings, afternoons and evenings now that the horns won't be blasting on a regular basis."
The Village budgeted $325,000 for Quiet Zone improvements in the 2014 Community Investment Program. Work will begin this summer and will be completed fall 2014.
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