Is There Really Going to be a Quiet Zone in Downtown Bryan?
You, like me, have probably heard talk and rumors about Downtown Bryan implementing a “Quiet Zone”. The chatter seems to come and go and the everyone’s information is inconsistent, making it difficult to let myself believe it could really happen. Is There Really Going to be a Quiet Zone in Downtown Bryan?
For those who do not know, a Quiet Zone is a section of a rail line that contains one or more consecutive public crossings at which the train engineers do not blow their horns. The Quiet Zone Ruling has only been in existence for less than 15 years. The purpose of it is to promote quality of life without compromising safety.
In order to have a Quiet Zone, the city must implement safety measures to reduce risk associated with no horn. Two extremes of accomplishing this is an overpass avoiding the crossing all together (most expensive and typically impractical) to adding a raised median that prevents drivers from skirting around a down arm to beat a train (or get through the intersection when the arm is down for no apparent reason). The later approach works well for 90 degree intersections with one tract intersecting it. There are not many of those in our Downtown!
In 2018 the city engineers signed an agreement with the Union Pacific R.R. and begin designing the necessary changes at the various intersections. The most controversial intersection is at Groesbeck, Main St & Finfeather. It is a difficult one to engineer and by far the most expensive one under consideration with a proposed budget of $2.8MM. While closing the intersection and diverting traffic was originally contemplated, it appears that is now off the table. The total proposed budget to implement the Quiet Zone is $5.7MM and will impact 25 crossings. Below is a listing of the intersections that will need to be re-engineered to meet necessary safety standards.
The Quiet Zone will be a significant value to Downtown Bryan. It can be deafening to be outside when a train rolls through town. Admittedly, I have grown accustomed to and even fond of the train while working IN my office which is 100 feet from the train track. And rarely do we run into buyers of our renovated houses or developments downtown that do not buy because of the train. But I recognize, if they are looking downtown, they have already obtained some level of comfort with train noise. What is unknown, is how many people who would otherwise enjoy living downtown, never seriously consider it because of the trains.
It is also an impediment for certain businesses, that would be a great fit for downtown, but are unable to office here because of the noise, such as recording and video studios, massage studios (creating a relaxing environment), etc. However, the most significantly impacted are undoubtedly hotels and B&Bs. While people can get used to living near trains, it is not the same for someone visiting the area and staying in a hotel or B&B near a train for the first time. Don’t believe me? Look at the reviews for Downtown’s only hotel, The Lasalle. Mostly you will find glowing reviews, however there are very few if any who do not warn of the train.
While I strongly support the Quiet Zone, I am also acutely aware of the aggregation that will come with it. The construction timeline is 18 months to 2 years, and let’s face it, it ALWAYS takes longer than planned. This will be a major pain getting in and out of downtown.
Additionally, some of the redesigns include installing traffic lights and if they are timed anything like the ones at Wm J Bryan & Main or Bryan St., it can take an eternity to get through them. Also, the reality is, often the rail crossing arms are down for reasons other than a train, either maintenance or malfunction. If designed correctly you will be stuck at the intersection unable to turn around or maneuver through the crossing arms. In order to maintain patience during these undoubtedly frustrating times, it will require a good memory to recall the way it was with the deafening horns and that one pain-in-the-rear engineer that insisted on blowing the horn continuously from one end of town to the other. 😤
So where are we in the process and what are the next steps? Construction is slated to begin in early 2020 and be completed by the end of 2021. Per the city engineers, obstacles to the timeline include funding, required approvals from necessary agencies, and Union Pacific’s design and construction of the rail crossing devices. With any luck, in a few short years, the role the train has played in our rich history will not be forgot, but rather, heard with a quieter voice as it rumbles through town.
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Written by: Katie Neason