Decatur Metro has learned that the City of Decatur is abandoning the idea of installing railroad quiet-zones at its three railroad crossings.

City Manager Peggy Merriss tells DM that safety concerns from residents and a general lack of funding were the major reasons the city is dropping the idea of investing in numerous safety upgrades at the city’s three railroad intersections so trains would no longer be required to blow their horns on approach.

The feedback from community surveys and comments regarding implementation of a quiet zone during the planning process for the railroad crossings at College and Candler has been mixed. Those opposed to a quiet zone have voiced serious concerns regarding pedestrian safety, especially for students, because of the general accessibility and open nature of the railroad right of way. In addition, improvements would have to be made at the Atlanta Avenue intersection where no current source of funding exists. All 3 crossings would require safety improvements in order to implement a quiet zone.

The cost to construct and install the equipment necessary to establish a quiet zone is expensive and implementation anticipated relying heavily on funding by sources other than the bond funds.

Because of these factors, it seemed reasonable to conclude as part of the project update that it was unlikely that the quiet zone would move forward.

Other improvements for two of these railroad intersections is already underway.

Spurred on by the Decatur’s Transportation Plan and a $1.48 million grant from the Federal Transportation Enhancement program, the city is currently finalizing plans to improve safety and accessibility “for pedestrians, bicyclists and others using the street” at the railroad intersections at McDonough and Candler.  You can read more on the current progress of that initiative HERE.

As Decatur considers installing railroad “quiet zones” at the Candler and McDonough road crossings, Alvin points to this AJC article which reported yesterday that two teen boys were hit by a train in a “quiet zone” in Kennesaw.

It’s very important to note that police have not yet determined whether the quiet zone had anything to due with both boys being hit by a freight train, resulting in one death.  Both were reportedly sitting on the tracks when the accident took place, but it’s not clear whether they heard/saw the train.

A while back, I read a bit into the NY Times in-depth, 2004-05 investigation entitled “Death on the Tracks” – a great read in its own right – and while it was quite clear that investigations conducted by the railroad companies were often incomplete and suspicious, I could find no solid evidence either way about the safety of “quiet zones”.

Last month Hugh Saxon promised our city commissioners “extensive community participation and master planning effort” as part of the $1.5 capital bond project – detailed in the Community Transportation Plan – to improve railroad crossings at Candler/College/Trinity and McDonough/College/Howard.  Today we learn a few more details about those meetings.  From the city website…

A community workshop to discuss the railroad crossing improvements will be held on Thursday, November 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the City Commission meeting room of Decatur City Hall, 509 North McDonough Street, in downtown Decatur. We hope you will be able to join us to learn more about this project.

As part of its capital improvements program, the City of Decatur is considering options for improvements to the railroad crossings at Candler and McDonough Streets in downtown Decatur. The purpose of the work is to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, bicyclists and others using these facilities. Measures required to implement a quiet zone in the railroad corridor will also be considered.

Also, here are a few more budget and timeline details specific to the intersections from the city’s webpage, which I had not seen before.

Candler/College/Trinity

• Budget: $1,200,000
• Status: Preliminary

• Bid Date: November 2011
• Construction: January 2012 – August 2012

• TE project – $1,000,000 awarded in February 2008
• DOT facility / CSX facility
• Quiet zone?

McDonough/College/Howard

• Budget: $600,000
• Status: Preliminary

• Bid Date: November 2011
• Construction: January 2012 – August 2012

• TE Project – $480,000 awarded in February 2008
• DOT facility / CSX facility
• Quiet zone?

Note that the question of whether to make these two intersection “quiet zones” has yet to be decided.  A great reason to attend and participate in the November meeting!

h/t: The Decatur Minute