OKC seeks railroad quiet zone downtown...

[bluedogok]

So, are you saying they didn't support the Maps votes either? It was downtown residents that passed it over the wishes of the suburbanites?

Someday we have to get past this us vs them mentality. It is offensive to so many of us who don't live downtown but vigorously support it over and over.

No, but it didn't pass at 100% either. I've never lived in or near downtown, I've worked in downtown OKC, Dallas and now Denver, I live 20 miles away from Downtown Denver (in Aurora) and when I open up my own practice I have no desire to locate downtown, I'm already tired of working downtown again. I would consider a near downtown area or in a TOD type of development before I will consider an office downtown but I see the value in all areas of the city prospering, many people have a hard time seeing anything outside of their 3 mile bubble.

I know plenty of OKC residents who didn't vote for MAPS because it was a "downtown thing" and they weren't interested in spending any money there (or on pretty much anything else outside of downtown). I voted for it during the elections that I lived in far NW OKC, my parents voted for it living out in West OKC. My father had very little hope that it would turn out the way that it did, he envisioned another String of Pearls failure but he voted for it anyway because he knew something needed to be done. Many of those in the rural areas of the OKC city limits (no matter what quadrant) have no desire to spend anything on the city as whole because it doesn't affect them living out where they do, those type of people are a large part of Pete White's constituency. Some will never see the value of a vibrant and healthy core and you will more than likely never change their minds but if enough of them contact their council member, they will consider what they have to say.

[LakeEffect]

I've included a rudimentary map of OKC population density (persons/sq mi) shown in block groups. Pete White may have a large area, but his constituents certainly aren't all rural. He represents a large number of people in urban areas, and he actually represents people that live along the south side of the proposed quiet zone (SE 23rd area).

[warreng88]

Quiet, please

A funding plan finally takes shape to develop a so-called ‘quiet zone’ to minimize train noise near downtown.

Tim Farley
June 5th, 2013

A drive to stop railroads in downtown Oklahoma City from tooting horns that disturb residents and business owners finally has hit the fast track.

City planners, property owners and business leaders in the area have been working on the project, commonly known as the “Quiet Zone,” since 2009. Discussion surrounding it has been ongoing for the last decade, noted City Manager Jim Couch.

Four years ago, Oklahoma City Council approved a measure calling for a quiet zone east and west along the Burlington-Northern Santa Fe rail line between N.E. Seventh and N.E. 16th. In 2010, engineering services were finished, but the project stalled due to funding constraints.

The project will seal off scarcely traveled crossings and enhance crossing signals and gates. Potentially, crossings as far south as S.E. 25th and as far north as Wilshire Boulevard could be closed as part of the work, according to Public Works Director Eric Wenger.

On May 28, the council voted 7-1 to approve a funding plan. Ward 4 Councilman Pete White cast the only dissenting vote.

Wenger told council members the project will cost an estimated $3.9 million with $2.65 million coming from the downtown Tax Increment Finance district, $500,000 from the city’s general fund and $255,000 from the city’s facilities authority.

The remaining balance will be paid by private donors, particularly land owners and businesses along Automobile Alley and in Midtown. So far, private contributions total $668,000, said Mickey Clagg, president of the Automobile Alley Association. Of that amount, the association pledged $100,000.

Clagg said 28 donors have pledged money toward the project.

The need for a quiet zone has grown along with downtown’s residential development. In years past, the proposed area was predominantly industrial. A quiet zone will allow railroad engineers to pass through the crossings without sounding the locomotive’s horn. Current regulations require the train whistle to blow 15 seconds before reaching a crossing.

City officials have pursued the project at the insistence of local developers and property owners.

More than anything, Ward 6 Councilwoman Meg Salyer said, it will have an effect on quality of life downtown.

“This is an issue that involves everyone,” she said. “That sound (train’s horn) is so loud and so long, people have to stop events or conversations to let the train go by. This is significant, but not just significant for Ward 6.”

Salyer said she’s been impressed with the amount of effort from area stakeholders to make the project work. A property owner along Broadway Avenue, she recused herself from the council’s discussion and vote on the funding.

The next step, Wenger said, involves public meetings to gather citizen input followed by design work. The project will include two phases, the first of which will allow for approval of a quiet zone by the Federal Railroad Administration.

http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/ar...et-please.html

[Pete]

From today on Twitter:

Automobile Alley ‏@AutoAlleyOKC 36m
.@cgorshing Good news: Quiet Zone is happening! Modifications already underway. When complete, trains won't sound from SE 23rd to Wilshire.

[Just the facts]

Never mind, I see the original story is 10 months old.

[soonerguru]

Anyone know why Pete White voted no?

Few people can explain Pete White's votes on any issue. Seriously. I've stopped paying attention or worrying about it. He just seems like a grouchy old man who relies more on his "feelings" that day about an issue -- as opposed to facts -- and votes accordingly.

[okclee]

I never realized that the quiet zone was going to be this large of an area from south to Wilshire.

[kevinpate]

somewhere, torea is weeping happy tears into a beer.

[venture]

somewhere, ----- is weeping happy tears into a beer.

Stop it! 2 more times and it'll appear.

[shawnw]

ugh. dupe.

[shawnw]

In that same tweet thread AA said it would be done by 2015. I presume that means by the end of 2015. Which is probably good timing for the Metropolitan.

[Pete]

Construction to be finished by November 2015:


Volume control: ‘Sealed corridor’ for trains could mean less noise, fewer crossings
By: Brian Brus The Journal Record May 27, 2014

OKLAHOMA CITY – It may soon get less noisy in downtown Oklahoma City.

The City Council moved Tuesday toward appropriating $3.9 million to renovate the railway corridor through Oklahoma City’s downtown districts. The “sealed corridor” plan is expected to improve safety and eliminate the need for warning horns. It could also close several crossings.

Work is expected to begin this year on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe line just east of Broadway from NE 16th to SE 23rd streets and will be completed next year. Council members approved a preliminary report Tuesday and authorized staff to prepare final plans and specifications.

The planned series of about a dozen rail and street intersections is called a sealed corridor because the ultimate goal is to silence train horns downtown, which requires making the street crossings much safer, Public Works Director Eric Wenger said. Trains normally must sound a warning a mile in advance of intersections. To meet Federal Railroad Administration standards, the crossings will have to be upgraded with elements such as extra mechanical arms and medians to keep drivers from maneuvering around the barriers. The project will likely involve closing five streets entirely.

The project has been backed by the Automobile Alley Association, the Alliance for Economic Development and several other groups and merchants in the area, with the expectation that a quiet zone will foster development in districts near the track.

Similar sealed corridors have been established across the country, such as the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Southeast High Speed Rail. Follow-up studies have found that sealed corridors cut down on accidents, law enforcement demands and repairs. Other corridors are intended to allow trains to pass through populated areas at higher speeds, such as the Amtrak Northeast corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C.

BNSF regional spokesman Joe Faust said the only issue at stake in Oklahoma City is quietness, not speed. He said his company supports the modifications.
For regulatory reasons, City Hall will pay for the work to be done by BNSF and the railroad will continue to maintain the crossings. Construction will be backed by unlisted bond funds through the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority, officials said.

[ljbab728]

Steve's article.

Train horns to go quiet downtown by November 2015 | News OK

[Plutonic Panda]

Quiet Zone Plan In The Works For Trains In Downtown OKC - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

[FighttheGoodFight]

Quiet Zone Plan In The Works For Trains In Downtown OKC - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

I'm happy this is going forward. I was sitting outside with my wife at Hillbilly Po Boys and the train came blasting by. The conducter smiled as he looked at me dead in the eye and honked the horn. He was having fun I'm sure.

[ou48A]

The quite zones are nice ideas but fewer trains mean’s less noise…… and more safety!

We can reduce the number of trains, perhaps significantly, by putting more liquids in pipelines.
Modern pipelines are safer for the public than trains. They cause less pollution and deliver products to end users at a lower cost.
New pipelines can largely be located well away from major metro areas, further lowering risk factors.

[OKCisOK4me]

The quite zones are nice ideas but fewer trains mean’s less noise…… and more safety!

We can reduce the number of trains, perhaps significantly, by putting more liquids in pipelines.
Modern pipelines are safer for the public than trains. They cause less pollution and deliver products to end users at a lower cost.
New pipelines can largely be located well away from major metro areas, further lowering risk factors.

I hate to burst your bubble but this line is primarily used for auto, intermodal, coal & grain unit trains AND with outgoing shipments of grain to Mexico increasing, you're not going to decrease the volume of traffic on the Red Rock Sub. The tonnage for this line is one of BNSF's heavier routes due to it not being double tracked. Sorry buddy...

Sent from my BNTV600 using Tapatalk

[MustangGT]

The article indicates some crossings "could" be closed but did not say they will be closed. Just as long as the folks who negligently get hit by the train, which by the way is all of them, cannot sue the railroad or anybody else for that matter if they get hit.

[LakeEffect]

The article was essentially wrong. 14th, 12th, 11th, and Park Place WILL be closed. 14th, 12th & 11th already are.

[Pete]

Report in City Council meeting said the quiet zone could be complete by the end of 2015.

[ljbab728]

Report in City Council meeting said the quiet zone could be complete by the end of 2015.

Everything seems to be pointing in that direction.
Railroad ?quiet zone? could be done this year | NewsOK.com

[okclee]

I was wishing for that quiet zone last night. This is one of those projects that is moving at a snails pace.

Maybe I just picked up on it more last night but the Trains seemed to be extra long and loud with their horns last night.

[Canoe]

Any updates on this quality of life project?

[Pete]

The City has applied to close several of the road crossings around NW 10th Street, which is the first formal movement I've seen.

[loveOKC]

I still don't understand why this Quiet Zone can't be extended to Memorial Rd. Why stop at Wilshire?