Kevin Duggan

kevinduggan@coloradoan.com

Local officials hope the head of the Federal Railroad Administration will gain a better understanding of train-noise issues in Northern Colorado by experiencing the racket herself.

Sarah E. Feinberg, administrator of the FRA, is scheduled to visit Colorado on June 17, according to press releases from the offices of U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner.

Feinberg is expected to meet with local officials, business representatives and residents to learn more about the impacts of train noise. Meetings might be scheduled in Fort Collins and Loveland, according to Bennet’s office.

While details and the format of the visit still have to be worked out, Mayor Wade Troxell said the announcement was “good news” for the community.

“I imagine we would have some seat at the table and be part of the conversation,” he said.

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Bennet and Gardner have both invited Feinberg to visit the region in the wake of the FRA’s decision to take public comment on potential changes to regulations on sounding train horns and the establishment of “quiet zones” for passing trains.

Gardner stated in a press release he appreciates Feinberg’s willingness to meet with constituents. Communities across the state have expressed interest in quiet zones, including Fort Collins, Loveland and Windsor.

“As the FRA continues its retrospective review of the train horn rule, I urge the FRA to take into consideration the unique circumstances facing Colorado cities and towns with rail lines,” Gardner said.

Sound off Comments on possible changes to Federal Railroad Administration regulations on train horns may be made through July 5. They may be made online at www.federalregister.gov/a/2016-04831. Comment also may be mailed to Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Railroad Safety, Mail Stop 25, West Building, Third Floor, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. 20590.

Bennet noted in a release the deadline for commenting on potential changes to FRA rules is July 5.

“Community and business leaders in Colorado want the opportunity to show Administrator Feinberg how train horn noise affects their businesses and quality of life,” Bennet said. “For years, we have been fighting with them for additional flexibility to create quiet zones that meet their individual needs and maintain safety.”

In December, FRA officials rejected a request from Fort Collins for a waiver of train-horn regulations in hopes of creating a quiet zone in Old Town.

The city proposed a 1.6-mile quiet zone downtown along the BNSF tracks on Mason Street. The zone covered 12 intersections between Old Main Drive and North College Avenue.

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Citing safety concerns, FRA officials denied the request. However, the agency said a Department of Transportation work group would meet with city officials to explore ways for establishing a quiet zone.

FRA regulations changed in 2005 and required louder horns. Engineers must sound train horns before crossing any public road unless specific safety measures are in place to block vehicles from crossing the tracks.

FRA has agreed to reconsider the rule and is taking public comment on whether it should "modify, streamline, or expand any requirements of FRA's locomotive train horn regulations to reduce paperwork and other economic burdens on the rail industry and states and local authorities while still maintaining the highest standards of safety," according to its website.

Kevin Duggan is a Coloradoan senior reporter covering local government. Follow him on Twitter, @coloradoan_dugg, and on Facebook at Coloradoan Kevin Duggan.

Background: Quiet zones in Colorado