In order for Capital Metro to not sound the train horn at the Rosewood crossing the crossing must meet certain requirements to qualify for a Quiet Zone and the Rosewood crossing unfortunately does not meet those requirements. We had plans to make this area a quiet zone but due to budget constraints this will not happen in 2012-2013.
The issue is that the ORIGINAL plans for the metrorail's design was to have ALL crossings south of 183 to be quite (this would include the freight trains). Here is an excerpt from CapMetro's FAQ on quite zones indicating this:
Quiet zones are in effect in the City of Austin from U.S.
Hwy 183 to Downtown and between McNeil/Merriltown Road and Gracy Farms
Road.
In fact, "No train horn" signs used to be installed at Rosewood, I don't remember seeing them there a couple weeks ago when I looked. There are issues with the Rosewood crossing that for some reason lead them to not spend the money there to fix it. From what I've been told it needs either an additional set of arms (so 4 total) or an extended raised median (which is hampered by the Community center's entrance). I called in 2010 and it wasn't in the 2010-2011 budget. I called in 2011 and found out it wasn't in the 2011-2012 budget. Now its not in the 2012-2013 budget??
My question for Lisa (Lisa.Moulder@capmetro.org) was how can you expand service to Friday and Saturday nights (costing a LOT of money) and not complete the ORIGINAL plans?
I also called their complaint line: 512-385-0190 and filed an official complaint stating they should provide this neighborhood what was originally promised.
I implore you to call this complaint line and do the same. I received a Customer Complaint Report (CCR) number, documenting my complaint, you should do the same. Pass this along to whomever you know who either similarly hates the noise, is bothered by the principle of the matter, or just enjoys complaining. And please post on other neighborhood email groups in the area.
I have a 5 month old boy who is frequently awoken at night due to the freight trains. If cap metro fixes the crossing, those loud trains will also stop blaring their horns, giving little Oliver, and his parents, a more restful night.
Respectfully,
Ben
i actually quite enjoy train horns, both freight and otherwise. i have lived near train tracks for many years and find that i get used to the noises cities make, and come to like the sounds very much. i hear you on the baby issue though, and i hope that little oliver will find a way to adapt!
ReplyDelete-nora
My understanding is that the extended times for the train will cost $1,500,000 and the extra guard rails to not honk will cost $40,000. When I call the above number I will mention these two figures.
ReplyDeleteJames
I will have to add, it isn't only the freight, the light rail honks also wake Oliver during his naps during the day :) And we don't even live that close to the tracks...
ReplyDeleteI believe it is more a question of principle. The crossing was supposed to be silent like all the central crossings, and for some reason - perhaps because they thought the people in this neighborhood wouldn't complain - they got away with it.
Steph
Since the $40,000 budgeted to install the quad gates did not result in gates, I wonder where the $40,000 went. MetroRail needs to answer this question before asking for more money.
ReplyDeleteJames
Our neighborhood association is starting to tackle this issue in our East Austin neighborhood as well (agaveneighborhood.org). Would you like to join forces with us to make the City of Austin recognize the importance of quiet zones in our East Austin communities? You can reach us at agaveneighborhod@gmail.com.
ReplyDelete