Residents Near Railroad Crossing Want Quiet Zone

Oak Creek is considering asking the state commissioner of railroads to establish a "quiet zone" near a railroad crossing in the 600 block of W. Puetz Road.

Residents for years have wanted something to be done about loud horns sounding as trains approach the crossing, said Alderman Dan Bukiewicz, who represents the area.

Sounding of the train horn is a railroad safety requirement that coincides with safety gates and lights activating when a train is coming up on an at-grade crossing. But Oak Creek could implement certain measures, like markings on the centerline of the street, to allow for the quiet zone.

The crossing in question is for the Canadian Pacific Railroad, which transports cargo trains as well as Amtrak passenger trains to Chicago.

Before any quiet zone can be implemented, however, the city must work out the issues it would present for the nearby . Because of the new features needed to accommodate a quiet zone, the entrance to the recycling yard would have to be re-engineered. That would cause big problems for trucks getting in and out, Street Superintendent Mike Lampe said.

The Oak Creek Common Council on Tuesday decided to hold the proposal so city officials could take a second look.

Incidentally, Oak Creek's former state senator, Jeff Plale, was recently . He will begin his six-year term after confirmation in the state Senate.