RES 2006-52 - 00014166RESOLUTION NO. 2006 - 52
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING STAFF TO PROCEED WITH THE PROCESS OF
ESTABLISHING A QUIET ZONE IN THE CITY OF FRIDLEY
WHEREAS, residents of the City of Fridley have expressed concern over the volume of railroad
locomotive horns being sounded within the City; and
WHERAS, Federal law requires locomotive engineers to sound their horns upon the approach to
each grade crossing; and
WHEREAS, Osborne Road NE and 77th Avenue NE are two grade crossings located in close
proximity to residential and commercial properties; and
WHEREAS, the number of trains traveling over the two mainline tracks of the Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) have approximately doubled over the past 15 years; and
WHEREAS, Northstar Commuter Rail is expected to add twelve trains per day to this number;
and
WHEREAS, the City has determined that the sounding of locomotive horns has a detrimental
effect on the quality of life for those persons living and working in close proximity to these two
grade crossings; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has established a procedure whereby
local jurisdictions can create a "Quiet Zone" resulting in an order from the FRA directing
locomotive engineers to not routinely sound their horns upon approaches to grade crossings
within the Quiet Zone; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fridley would be required to construct and install safety improvements
consisting of concrete medians to these two grade crossings to qualify for a Quiet Zone; and
WHEREAS, these safety improvements have been shown to actually improve the overall safety
of grade crossings where they have been installed;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Fridley desires to apply for and
establish a Quiet Zone including the two grade crossings at Osborne Road and 77th Avenue NE;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City staff is directed to complete the necessary
engineering studies, planning, and coordination with other involved agencies required for
installation of the required safety modifications.
Resolution No. 2006 -52
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that these studies and plans should be sufficient in
nature to maintain continued Quiet Zone approval in the future should rail traffic increase
and should BNSF add an additional track within their right of way within the Quiet Zone.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City staff is directed to minimize adverse impacts
to property owners affected by installation of the safety modifications.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that maintaining or enhancing the safety of motorists,
pedestrians, and all persons traversing the grade crossings within the Quiet Zone be of
utmost importance.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRIDLEY THIS 28TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2006.
SC TT J. LUND
ATTEST: