The City of Parkville is taking its first steps toward a long-debated quiet zone in downtown Parkville.
Last week, the board of aldermen approved a preliminary engineering services agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway to study a possible quiet zone in downtown Parkville at the two crossings on Main Street and East Street.
According to city officials, 45 trains per day travel through downtown and over the years merchants, residents and visitors have expressed concerns about the level of train horn noise. The study will determine if a quiet zone, or wayside horns, can be used. The study will also outline appropriate next steps.
Possibilities to dampen the horns in Parkville have been discussed for years, with recent efforts placed on the back burner during other capital improvement projects. Talks with the railroad have also been slow to occur.
“This study is just the first step toward discovering what type of quiet zone, if any, may be applied in Parkville,” said mayor Dean Katerndahl. “We look forward to going through the process and receiving the report from the railroad.”
Resident Elaine Kellerman told the board these are first steps that should not be taken and questioned what party was behind the push to look into a quiet zone now.
“The sound of trains is as much a part of Parkville and its identity as the river and Park University,” Kellerman said. “Silencing the trains would forever change Parkville.”
Alderman Greg Plumb and Katerndahl said they had spoken to many residents and business owners over the years who wished the city would pursue a quiet zone.
Per the agreement, BNSF’s third-party consultant will conduct an on-site diagnostic assessment to examine the crossing type(s), calculate risks and identify supplemental safety measures that can be implemented to mitigate risk. Based on the findings of the report, the city could discuss quiet zone infrastructure options as long as they meet Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requirements.
City staff researched the process for implementing quiet zone infrastructure, which requires working with a general engineering consultant and local FRA Crossing Manager to comply with all FRA guidelines, and met with FRA, Federal Highway Administration, Missouri Department of Transportation and BNSF staff to discuss the process to establish a quiet zone in downtown Parkville.
The study by BNSF will provide more information for city officials and potential partners, like Park University, to consider for next steps.