(The following story by Lawrence Schumacher appeared on the St. Cloud Times website on November 25.)
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — St. Cloud will quiet train whistles next year at a third crossing on the East Side.
City Council members unanimously approved plans Monday for quiet zone improvements at 41/2 Street Northeast at the BNSF Railway tracks.
The project cost is estimated at $105,000. It will include installation of concrete medians and barriers at the crossing to prevent vehicles from entering when the guard arms are down.
“Neighbors have waited a long time for this, and they support it and have been patient,” City Council member Carolyn Garven said.
The improvements allow BNSF conductors to avoid blowing train whistles when they approach the crossings, at their discretion.
It will also require installation of a chain-link fence between BNSF property and the adjacent Python’s Recycling facility and closing an easterly driveway entrance to property owned by Place of Hope Ministries.
Python’s co-owner Tom Gruska objected to the plan. The changes would eliminate access to part of his property for semi-trailers and parking for them, some of which has been located within BNSF right-of-way, he told City Council members.
“Not being able to put all our trailers on our property is a barrier we’re not prepared to incur,” Gruska said.
In 2007, the city installed quiet zones for 15th Avenue Southeast and Seventh Street Southeast. Improvements have been considered for East St. Germain Street and Minnesota Boulevard, but have been shelved due to cost.
The estimated cost for this quiet zone has increased by $12,000 since it was budgeted in 2007 because of additional federal and state safety requirements, said Stephen Gaetz, director of public services. City officials must now seek bids for the project.