Shorewood considers railroad quiet zones
By Clare Walters For The Herald-News July 12, 2012 1:36PM
Updated: August 17, 2012 6:24AM
SHOREWOOD — Village officials are adding the creation of “quiet zones” to the village’s long-term plan.
Trustee Dan Anderson, chairman of the public works committee, said the village began investigating the creation of quiet zones at the village’s railroad crossings a few months ago after receiving a letter from an anonymous resident asking for them.
If a railroad crossing meets quiet-zone criteria as determined by the Federal Railroad Administration, locomotives approaching the crossing are banned from sounding their whistles except in urgent or emergency situations.
To meet quiet-zone standards, Anderson said the village would need to complete about $290,000 in improvements.
“It’s more than just throwing signs up there,” he said.
The village’s three crossings — at Route 52, Seil Road and Mound Road — all would need work, but the Seil Road crossing would be the biggest expense because it does not have gates, Anderson said.
“We don’t have money for anything like that,” he said. “But, we can put it on our plan. We can put it on our radar.”
In other business, the village board unanimously approved the purchase of new entry doors for the police station. The doors and installation by Bolingbrook-based Front Runner will cost $18,810.
Roger Barrowman, public works superintendent and interim village administrator, said the existing doors are original to the building and not ADA accessible.
“We’ve actually machined parts for them because they don’t make them any longer,” he said.
The purchase of the doors was a budgeted item, and the electrical work will be completed in-house.
