Redevelopment Commission hears plan for quiet zones

A consulting company hired to help Columbus establish quiet zones for trains traveling through downtown is proposing nearly $1.8 million in upgrades at four railroad crossings.

Tim Oster of CTC, Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas, presented options for the railroad crossings at State Road 46, Fifth Street, Eighth Street and Eleventh Street during the this week’s meeting of the Columbus Redevelopment Commission. City officials have been working on a plan to establish the zones in an effort to reduce noise. Due to safety concerns, these crossings will need additional safety measures installed for that to happen. These include things like four-quadrant gate system, medians and escape gates. Oster stressed that establishing quiet zones will not completely eliminate train horns through the city, but it should help considerably.

The redevelopment commission did not taken any action during this week’s meeting.

If implemented, Oster said the quiet zones could be finished in 18 to 24 months.