Barrington on track with other communities toward renewing Canadian National quiet zone

Barrington is slated to take the lead among communities working to recertify a quiet zone along the Canadian National Railway corridor.

Village trustees are expected to vote July 27 on an intergovernmental agreement with Bartlett, Hoffman Estates and Barrington Hills to equally share costs of a study required for the recertification.

A train quiet zone limits the sounding of train horns to when it is necessary to ensure the safety of the train, motorists and pedestrians. That way, the train does not need to sound the horn each time it crosses a roadway.

The cost, up to $13,700, would be shared among the communities, with contractor RINA, formerly known as Patrick Engineering, performing the work.

Barrington entered into the original intergovernmental agreement in 2006. Following a study and enhancements at the Hough Street and EJ&E crossings, the Federal Rail Administration established the corridor with three district zones in 2011.

It was last renewed in 2023, with Barrington coordinating the recertification of the third zone, which includes a Barrington crossing.