The blast of train horns is a part of the experience of visiting downtown Parkville, but businesses and residents have often hoped there was a way to eliminate this noisy calling card of a passing train.
Aldermen learned Tuesday night at the city’s regular board meeting that there may be new hope for a decades-old dream to establish a horn-free quiet zone in downtown Parkville. Parkville Economic Development Council executive director Nathan BeVelle presented a report on the EDC’s activities for the first half of the year – including a meeting with railroad and federal officials on the possibility of a quiet zone.
BeVelle said the city went back to the drawing board on the project because there was too much conflicting information to move forward without first taking a step back. Now, BeVelle said he is optimistic that the railroad was receptive to the possibility and that establishing a quiet zone was feasible, although there was not yet any cost estimate.
“That’s exciting news because for 25 years we’ve been told that it couldn’t happen,” said alderman Tina Welch.
There are two railroad crossings in the downtown area at Main and East streets. A TranSystems report completed in 2013 as part of the Parkville Downtown Master Plan identified the railroad crossings as an area of concern to residents and stakeholders. As many as 45 trains per day pass through downtown and BNSF has future plans to install an additional track alongside the current track. Over the years, city officials have floated the concept of making streets one-way, installing wayside horns and other ways to minimize the noise.
Currently, trains must blow their horns at both Main and East streets, doubling the noise, which according to reports can reach 100 decibels. City officials have considered installing quad gates, lights or raised medians that would restrict vehicle and pedestrian traffic, making the crossings both safer and less noisy.
In 2013, the quiet zone was estimated to cost about $1 million. Another study in 2017 cited continuing concerns about increasing noise.
“The quiet zone initiative has become a priority due to the increased interest in the downtown area for development and redevelopment opportunities including the real possibility of adding a residential component to the immediate downtown,” the 2017 EDC study states.