BRUNSWICK

The Brunswick Town Council has learned more about establishing a quiet zone along a stretch of railroad track, but is still waiting to find out how much it would cost.

The town has been investigating ways to address excessive noise caused by increased train activity, and complaints from neighbors of blaring train horns for the last several months.

The Federal Railroad Administration has very specific requirements as to when, where, how long and how loud a train must sound its horn. A quiet zone is an FRA exemption to the rule requiring trains to sound their horns when approaching public crossings.

The FRA notes that quiet zones do not prohibit all train horns — horns would still be sounded as a train approaches a grade crossing, in emergency situations or for other safety reasons. Communities requesting the quiet zone are responsible for financing the installation of safety measures to mitigate the increased risk of not sounding horns.

Gorrill Palmer has evaluated a proposed quiet zone that would start at the Brunswick-Freeport line and include crossings at Highland, Grant and Church roads, Stanwood, Union and Maine streets, and Park Row.

Emily Tynes of Gorrill Palmer reported to the council on Monday that, given existing conditions, the quiet zone can be established by either closing the Park Row crossing and/or including the Jordan Avenue crossing in the quiet zone. In the latter case, single lane gates would need to be installed for each approach at the Jordan Avenue crossing. The quiet zone would need to be reviewed annually by the FRA.

Councilor Jane Millett asked what the bottom line cost estimate is for creating a quiet zone.

“We’re working with the town at this point to find the cost,” Tynes said.

“It depends on what we do,” said Town Manager John Eldridge.

A signal interlocking project at the Brunswick Layover Facility, expected to be done by the end of the year, will eliminate the need for switching movements around the facility. With that project complete, the town should qualify with no modifications.

However, even if the town gets approved for a quiet zone early in 2018, the council will need to look into what it needs to do to retain the quiet zone as service increases on the railroad. The Royal Junction siding project is to be done by the end of 2018, and will add a siding track in Falmouth and Cumberland. Amtrak may expand its service from Brunswick to Rockland starting in 2018 as well.

The challenge will be working with the FRA on establishing alternative safety measures that will be required at a number of the crossings, Eldridge said, and determining what the FRA will require.

Millett added that she’d like to set up a committee to look at some of these train noise-related issues and present options to the council.

“Quiet zones are one thing,” Millett said, “but there may be other measures that will be needed going forward.”

This could include councilors and citizens.

“We’ve heard from people far and wide on this issue,” Millett said.

Eldridge said while the quiet zone won’t resolve all issues, it should resolve most of them.

“I think the idea of having a committee with some of the affected members of the public involved would go a long way, if you pardon my saying so, restoring the confidence of that neighborhood in what’s going on in the town,” said Councilor Dan Harris.

Councilor chair Alison Harris suggested the issue could be taken up by the council again in January when it should have cost estimates.

dmoore@timesrecord.com