Show All Answers

1. Why can’t the City just designate the crossing as “Quiet Zones” and have the trains not sound their horns?

For a rail crossing to be designated as a Quiet Zone, other safety measure must be implemented. These measures include installing channelizing curb, closing entrances and exits within a certain distance of the crossing, and upgraded crossing arms. Cost for these measures can be prohibitive.

2. Why doesn’t the Elk River just build quiet zones like other Cities (Ramsey, Coon Rapids, Fridley) have?

The number of crossings and the geometry of the streets at the crossings in Elk River would require extra measures and higher costs to build a full quiet zone in the city. Estimated costs of this option would be $5 to $5.5 million.

3. Why are the trains sounding their horn after the quiet zone/wayside horns have been installed?

There are occasions when trains are still required to sound their horns. These include: when workers or equipment is on the tracks, when starting from a complete stop, emergency situations.

4. How does the engineer in the train know to not sound his horn?

The crossings that are equipped with wayside horns will have signals that tell oncoming trains to remain silent.

5. What happens if the power is out or the wayside horns are damaged?

It cases where the wayside horn are not working, the indicators will tell trains to sound their horns as usual.