The Burlington Northern Santa Fe train tracks cut a swath through Sumner County bringing with it economic prosperity. But for folks living near the tracks, it also brings nuisance. The train whistles blare at the most inopportune times and in the dead of night. Thus came the invention of “quiet zones” – an engineered federally-approved designed intersection that makes it nearly impossible for drivers or pedestrians to collide with ongoing trains. In turn, the train engineers won’t blow their horns through town — offering something adjacent neighborhood dwellers have always wanted: tranquility. There are approximately 600 quiet zone intersections around the country, and this past week, Belle Plaine added two more. The trouble is, train whistles still sound in Belle Plaine because there are three other intersections in and outside the community that is still not “quiet.”
Source: Sumner NewsCow
