PRESS RELEASE

 ARE YOU TIRED OF TRAIN HORN NOISE?

 

How would you react if you were told that for about $100,000 in railroad crossing improvements, Fairfield could qualify for a “quiet zone” that would no longer require the trains to sound their horns?  Can you imagine how this would improve quality of life for those of us who live and work close to the RR tracks? 

 

In fact, the Federal Railroad Administration’s “final train horn rule” establishes a clear cut path to having a complete quiet zone.  A group of concerned citizens has set up Fairfield Railroad Citizen’s Action Committee, which is promoting a quiet zone initiative.  Right now we have about 350 supporters on our email list.  If you are not yet on this list, just send an email to qt@natel.net, and your name will be added. 

 

Why is the time right now to push for a quiet zone?

 

  1. Train traffic is up dramatically over the last 5 years.  Official statistics say our traffic has gone from 15 trains per day in 2001 to 58 per day in 2006.  The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) has told local people who have called that traffic may double from this level due to increased demand for western coal. 
  2. The City of Fairfield receives about $12,000 per year in tax revenue from the RR, and the BNSF will pay the City about $25,000 for each crossing that the City closes.  These are potential sources of revenue to pay for the necessary crossing improvements. 
  3. We are spending millions of dollars to build a wonderful new Civic Center.  It simply makes no sense to ignore a major quality of life issue, which in addition to affecting many local residents and businesses, will also affect the Civic Center during quiet performances or events.
  4. Now that Fairfield has been designated a “Great Place”, it needs to ensure the peace of mind of all its residents.  Great places do worry about quality of life issues.

 

For this initiative to succeed, it needs the support of both individuals and local businesses.  In addition to getting on the QT email list by sending an email to QT@natel.net, you can also go to http://fairfieldquietzone.org to see pictures of the proposed solution that will allow Fairfield to establish a quiet zone.  Thanks for your support.      

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