Is Hanover all aboard on fewer horns?
Bay residents are sounding off for ‘Quiet Zone’
HANOVER — Some folks get irritated by the neighbor’s dog baying at the mail carrier at the same time every afternoon. Imagine having to listen to a train horn blow about 600 times a day, every day.
That’s what residents in Sunset Bay and Hanford Bay have to deal with, as do business owners and customers near the bays’ entrances on Routes 5 and 20. That’s at least a metaphorical headache, and maybe an actual headache, that just doesn’t go away.
But could it?
John Mc-Gowan, from the Hanford Bay Associa-tion, recently attended a Hanover Town Board workshop to discuss the possibility of implementing a “Quiet Zone” at the railroad crossings, which essentially would stop almost all of that noise pollution.
McGowan brought a prepared summary to the workshop, which stated “the authorization of the town of Hanover is needed to determine the viability of the (Quiet Zone) project. If it is determined that the (Quiet Zone) project is feasible, funds will be needed to be raised contingent on future board project approval.”
What is a Quiet Zone? As McGowan explained, it’s where train horns don’t blare unless the conductors see problems on the tracks ahead of them. The arms or gates blocking traffic still come down, lights still flash, and long median dividers (“channelization devices”) extending down the road in each direction keep drivers from trying to scoot around those gates. Because of these extra barriers, Quiet Zones have proven safer than traditional “sound-the-horn-and-hope-no-one-drives-around-the-gate” methods.
Quiet with a cost
This is not the first time the idea of a Quiet Zone has been proposed in Hanover, but in the past, the project would have been way too costly. Recent upgrades completed by the railroads, though, mean that most of that work is already done. At this point, that Quiet Zone is basically clearance priced.
As McGowan shared with Hanover officials, the total cost at Hanford Road would be approximately $22,000. The cost of putting in the Quiet Zone at Allegany Road (Sunset Bay) would be less, at about $18,750. Before the railroads completed their upgrades, the project cost would have skyrocketed well over $1 million.
But the residents have taken the ball and run with it as far as they could go. Now they need the town’s involvement.
“This group of people, we’ve been working on this for about two years,” McGowan said. “We’ve been able to get to a point at which we need the town’s involvement. With (County Legislator) George Borrello’s help, and (Congressman) Tom Reed’s help, we were able to get the Federal Registry of Railroad Crossings updated. That is every crossing in the United States. All of the electrical equipment at those sites, all of the information about those sites are on the federal website (shows that) we have the proper equipment (to implement a Quiet Zone).”
McGowan said a good example of a successful Quiet Zone is at Rogers Road in Hamburg.
“They have laid it out very well for us, and by looking at that, we can easily see how we can implement that here,” he said.
Tracking a process
McGowan, the Hanford Bay Association, and Borrello, who attended the workshop along with his wife, Kelly, have researched the establishment process, looking to the Federal Railroad Administration’s “Guide to the Quiet Zone Process,” which lists historical context, public safety considerations, required documentation and points of contact.
One of the next steps would be for a representative of the town — since the town is the legal owner of the roads — to go on the FRA website and perform safety calculations. If the proposed site passes safety requirements, the project can move forward.
“We think we would easily qualify,” said McGowan. “Hamburg easily qualified.”
The proposal has already been submitted to Highway Supervisor Steve D’Angelo for review, which includes $11,500 of in-kind services (town labor). As for the money, well, McGowan said the residents of Hanford Bay and Sunset Bay would dig in their pockets, spread the word, and raise the funds needed.
“We need to head towards some grant writing next,” added McGowan, “and that grant writing would be contingent upon future board approval. We would not ask you to approve the project at this point; we’re just trying to get the funds in place, contingent upon approval to go forward with the project.”
Since the county’s new budget year is coming up, McGowan said, there may be some money available through bed tax, too.
“Applications for the funds have to be in shortly,” he urged.
And all of this, he said, would be well worth it.
Impact on property
Borrello agreed, telling the OBSERVER that it’s a quality of life issue in addition to an economic issue.
“The train horn is heard by nearly everyone in both bays. Train traffic increased dramatically in the past several years along those tracks and the train horns sound more than 600 times per day. Silencing them will not only greatly improve the quality of life for residents in the bays and businesses along Routes 5 and 20, it will also have a positive impact on property values, according to studies that have been done elsewhere,” he said.
McGowan stated that the current property value loss, with horns blaring, is huge.
“The economic impact is probably over $1.5 million in reduced property values because of (the horns), so that’s a major factor to consider,” he said.
And, if the area is more peaceful, it could attract new businesses.
“There is vacant land close to the train track route in Sunset Bay that could be more desirable for development with the Quiet Zone in place. This will help everyone in the town of Hanover by increasing the tax base,” Borrello noted.
Town board members listened with interest, and Deputy Supervisor Kevin O’Connell told the OBSERVER that plans are cautiously moving forward.
“The board has authorized me to be the facilitator, or town representative, to go and do the Quiet Zone calculater (on the federal website),” he said. “John (McGowan) and I are going to do that (this) week at the town hall. We’ll go through the calculations and see how it turns out. We’re hoping it will show that a Quiet Zone would be much safer than the horns are (at Sunset and Hanford Bays).”
O’Connell also said the board agrees with the Hanford Bay Association regarding cost — with in-kind services, bed tax money, and what the homeowners’ associations can raise, the project is entirely feasible.
“The Hanford Bay Association and Sunset Bay Association have pledged their support,” he said. “The town wouldn’t really have to contribute anything financially, … though we would need the support of Steve (D’Angelo), and he’s always helpful and cooperative. We would look to the bed tax, then state representatives to ask for contributions.”
There won’t be immediate gratification, he warned, even if the town proves successful at getting over the next hurdles.
“It’s a long-term project, it’s not going to happen immediately or even next year,” he said.
For those interested in reading more about Quiet Zones and the formal Quiet Zone establishment process, go to www.fra.dot.gov.
Comments on this article may be sent to rcuthbert@observertoday.com
COMMENTS