Village not notified of Union Pacific Railroad work

LOMBARD, Illinois—The Village of Lombard has fielded numerous complaints about the out-of-the ordinary sounding of train horns throughout the day and night on the Union Pacific Railroad. While work is currently being done on the tracks that require the train horns be sounded, the Village was not notified of this work or the trains sounding their horns.

Work that is expected to be completed today on the tracks has necessitated the closing of Finley Road, Elizabeth, Main and Grace at their intersections with the railroad tracks.

Union Pacific has reported that trains will be sounding their horns while going through these intersections as a safety precaution so that vehicles and pedestrians are aware of oncoming trains. Railroad employees are also stationed at each intersection with stop signs in hand to stop traffic as not all the gates at these intersections are working.

The village has received many noise complaints about the trains sounding their horns during the night. These complaints have been forwarded to Union Pacific Railroad for residents to make an official noise complaint.

Under federal law, the village is unable to prevent the trains from sounding their horns. Anyone interested in contacting the Union Pacific Railroad to register a formal noise complaint may call (888) 877-7267. Complaints may also be registered at the Illinois Commerce Commission complaint line

at (800) 524-0795.

The railroad has also indicated that additional testing of the work being conducted and the equipment will take place. Please refer to the village website for updates on the testing as they are made available.