Sikeston City Council looks into railroad quiet zone

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A public hearing on a proposed quiet zone for trains passing through Sikeston was held during the regular city council meeting Monday.

The hearing began with an overview of the proposal by John Chittenden of Waters Engineering. Chittenden said the establishment of a quiet zone would mean Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad trains would not have to blow their whistles as they approach road crossings in the city.

"There are a lot of folks pursuing these [quiet zones] right now," he said. During a March meeting that included Chittenden, street superintendent Steve Lee, representatives from the Missouri Department of Transportation's Railroad Safety Division and railroad representatives, information about quiet zone requirements and costs was presented to the city.

Among the requirements would be median barriers extending for 100 feet on either side of the crossings that would affect some driveways and side streets.

Mayor Mike Marshall asked Lee to paint an "X" 100 feet from each of the affected crossings so officials and residents can see how far medians would extend.

The railroad would also ask the city to close two crossings at Ruth and William streets. Drew Juden, director of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, has already said there may be public safety issues related to closing both street crossings as well as with the barriers.

The local cost for crossing upgrades such as improved lights and the installation or relocation of crossing gates would be about $200,000 if the city opts to close only Ruth Street, Chittenden said.

He said contributions of 60 percent of the costs of improvements from MoDOT and 20 percent from the railroad are not competitive grants but money set aside for this type of project.

This is only the initial step in establishing a quiet zone, Chittenden said, so the city would not see the required improvements until 2010 if the quiet zone is pursued.