City Seeks Solution to Train Noise

The City Council will try to broker an informal agreement with railroad companies to reduce noise from train whistles--which council members say has increased over the last few years.

The issue came before the council Monday at the request of Councilman Ted R. Moreno, who had met with residents of the Villa Grande Mobile Home Estates.

About 100 mobile home residents who live within a quarter-mile of two railroad crossings have signed a petition asking the council to pass an ordinance limiting whistle blowing at railroad crossings to situations that are considered an imminent danger.

Whistles are typically blown at all crossings as an added safety measure, officials said.

The council said that such an ordinance would be virtually impossible to enforce, and may conflict with state law that gives train engineers the discretion to blow whistles. Instead, the council proposed writing to the railroad companies asking that they lower the decibel level or blow them for shorter periods.

Also on Monday, about a dozen parents, children and school officials asked the council to install a traffic signal at Hobart Street and Standard Avenue near Madison Elementary School.

Community members say that cars on Standard Avenue rarely slow down for pedestrians, and that hundreds of children and their parents cross the intersection on school days.

The council said flashing yellow beacon lights are planned for the intersection and they will be installed by summer. At a March 18 study session, the council will consider installing a signal light.