LOCKPORT, IL — Two of Lockport’s railroad crossings in its downtown area will soon become quiet zones, according to City officials.
City Administrator Ben Benson told Patch the quiet zone will begin on Dec. 19.
The two Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) crossings will become quiet zone crossings, Benson said. This will silence about 65 trains per day, he added.
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The quiet zone does not include the 10 Canadian National crossings.
The City has been working to implement a quiet zone for several years. Quiet zone designation is only given out by the Federal Railroad Administration.
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It requires towns to meet certain safety requirements, “to mitigate the increased risk caused by the absence of a horn,” according to the FRA website.
In a quiet zone, train horns can still be used in emergency situations or to comply with other regulations. Without a quiet zone designation, trains must sound horns at least 15 seconds, and no more than 20 seconds, in advance of all public crossings.
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