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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 17, 2006

SCHUMER URGES FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION AND CSX TO VISIT HAMBURG AND HELP WITH CREATION OF ‘QUIET ZONE’ FOR COMMUNITY

Western New York Is The Crossroads Of Freight Rail Traffic In The Northeast And Hamburg Has Over 100 Trains Passing Through Residential Areas Every Day

Schumer: Hamburg Residents Deserve Both Safe And Quiet Rail Crossings

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Federal Railroad Administration and the CSX Corporation to visit Hamburg, New York and help with the creation of a ‘Quiet Zone for the community. Schumer asked that representatives meet with town residents, hear their concerns regarding constant freight train horn blasts, and help community leaders receive “Quiet Zone” designations for the crossings in their town, which would allow trains to pass by without sounding their horns. Western New York is the crossroads of freight rail traffic in the Northeast. The Town of Hamburg has eight surface crossings and over 12 miles worth of freight track that carry over 100 trains a day through populated residential areas. Approximately, 20,000 town residents live within audible range of these tracks.

“Establishing a ‘Quiet Zone’ is essential for the hard working residents of Hamburg,” Schumer said. “We must make the rail crossings in Hamburg both safe and quiet. Local leaders have taken the initial steps needed to get this done, and it’s time for the FRA and CSX to step up and work with local residents. I will partner with the community, and prod the FRA and CSX to create crossings that are safe and quiet.”

In order to reduce the constant annoyance of train horns blasts, for several years Town leaders have tried to reduce freight train noise at their crossings. The Town has done some preliminary estimates of what types of improvements need to be made, and is eager to implement the improvements as soon as possible. However, they need clarification from the Federal Railroad Administration on what the current regulations are governing safety at railroad crossings in quiet zones, as well as the definition of the minimum and maximum decibel levels for horn blasts in residential communities.

A “Quiet Zone” designation allows communities who meet the safety needs at particular highway-rail grade crossings to have train horns silenced. Federal law requires on-coming trains to sound their horns if they are approaching a grade-crossing without advanced safety precautions. The establishment of a new quiet zone requires at minimum that each grade crossing be equipped with flashing lights and gates, and additional safety measures may be required to compensate for the absence of the horn as a warning device. New quiet zones can be in effect 24-hours a day or just during the overnight period between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

In a personal letter to Joseph Boardman, Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, Schumer wrote, “I respectfully request that you send a representative to Hamburg to meet with town leaders and residents to discuss current quiet zone requirements and different ways to reduce horn noise in this community. The community is eager to work with the FRA to achieve this important designation and I pledge my full support in this effort.”

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