Many communities along railroad tracks have asked their local government to help with noise issues by creating quiet zones, where train operators are instructed not to blow their whistles at crossings.

 

Last year, the City of Big Lake worked with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) to construct a quiet zone at Co. Rd. 43 near the Northstar Station.

 

There are also two other crossings at Co. Rd. 5 and Hwy. 25 in Big Lake.

 

But other communities have also made requests for quiet zones.

 

Last week, Commissioner Ewald Petersen asked members of the county board to consider what the county’s position will be when communities ask the county for its support for quiet zones.

 

He said he recently received a letter about building a quiet zone near the intersection of Co. Roads 17 and 81, just south of Hwy. 10.

 

“I’ve had the opportunity to do a little bit of research since then and I find that quiet zones can be very expensive,” he said. “The City of Big Lake spent over a quarter million dollars on Co. Rd. 43.”

 

Quiet zone improvements at railroad crossings vary by each crossing. They can include physical barriers (four quadrant gates, median barriers and channelization), wayside horns and/or alternative safety measures like programmed enforcement and public education. 

 

Each roadway approach to the crossing must be equipped with an advance warning sign advising drivers that trains do not sound their horns at the crossing.

 

The cost of improvements can also range from relatively modest amounts to over $1 million, said Petersen.

 

“In that case there probably would be some partial funding from the feds, but most of it is going to come out of the locals’ pockets,” he said. 

 

Another crossing exists at 172nd Street in Big Lake Township.

 

“I see no indication that the township is even thinking about a quiet zone there,” said Petersen.

 

He said he was bringing up  the issue because he felt the county should make some determination whether they would get involved when people asked for a quiet zone on a county road.

 

Commissioner Felix Schmiesing said generally, it has been the cities that have done the quiet zones. But a countywide project might be significant.

 

“Are you thinking we should generate some sort of a policy?’ asked Schmiesing.

 

“That would be my opinion,” said Petersen.

 

Commissioner Bruce Anderson said he has also been approached at times in regards to a quiet zone in Elk River.

 

“We’ve always taken the position that we don’t get involved in them,” he said. “Once you start, there are a number of communities that will ask the same thing. They’re very costly.”

 

“I have received calls as well, but generally without a policy it’s just something we haven’t done,” said Schmiesing. “So maybe we should be having discussions and coming up with some sort of policy.”

 

Public Works Director John Menter said quiet zones are typically done where there are high concentrations of people, like in cities.

 

“The board consistently over the years has had an unwritten policy that quiet zones are a municipal issue that the county has not dealt with,” he said. 

 

Menter said in he case of the Co. Rd. 17/81 crossing, it would cost a lot more than anticipated.

 

“I believe the resident who sent you that letter indicated that the Co. Rd. 17 crossing would be a low cost improvement to establish that as a quiet zone,” he said.

 

“However, when we built that raised median, that channeled intersection, we did that with a common poured curb, which does not meet the minimum requirement for the raised median for quiet zones. So there would be a significantly higher cost to go back and re-do that crossing.”

 

There are 15 railroad crossings on county roads and numerous smaller crossings in townships. Elk River has 10 crossings -   three county, one private,  and six on city streets.

 

The City of Becker is looking at possibly establishing crossings at Liberty Lane, Hancock Street and Co. Rd. 8.

 

Menter said the county doesn’t have an official written policy on quiet zones, but he said he could have one drafted for the board to review at an upcoming meeting.

 

The board directed him to work on a policy for their review.