Quiet & Safe Rail Crossings

With the generous support of donors, the City of Bozeman has engaged Sanderson Stewart to complete design of quiet crossing improvements for the Wallace Ave. and Rouse Ave. crossings. The effort will allow the City to have a shovel-ready project in the event that City can identify any public or private sources of funds to complete the project. At this point, the City has not identified sources of funds to complete the project, but believes that having a well-defined project places us in the best position to obtain funding.
 

Quiet and safe crossings along Bozeman’s rail line

Local partners in the Northeast side of Bozeman are launching a “Tame the Train Campaign,” which looks to raise $800,000 for upgrades to the railroad crossings and allow for safe and quiet rail crossings. This would effectively eliminate the conductor’s need to blow the horn at multiple crossings.  These upgrades should significantly increase the quality of life for those who live nearby.

In the 1880s, the Northern Pacific Railroad train horn in Bozeman stood as a signal for agriculture and growth in the area. Neighboring Story Mill, Lehrkind Brewery and other fruit and grain growers in the Gallatin Valley used the rail line to transport their goods across the country. Today, still in heavy use, the train is required to blow its horn at the city crossings of North Wallace Avenue, West Griffin Drive and North Rouse Avenue, all of which are home to neighborhoods and businesses where people eat, sleep and work.
 
Safe and quiet rail crossings upgrades require that in order for the train horn to be silenced, the vehicle and pedestrian areas at those three crossings would need to be upgraded. This would provide much-needed peace and quiet to the surrounding residents. Local partners hope to launch the “Tame the Train Campaign” in an effort to raise $800,000 for upgrades to the railroad crossings and allow for safe and quiet rail crossing upgrades. Already, developers have invested around $100,000 in the research, development and engineering that must take place prior to any construction of safe and quiet rail crossings.
 
With the generous support of donors, the City of Bozeman has engaged Sanderson Stewart to complete the needed survey and design elements of the quiet crossing improvements for the North Wallace Avenue, West Griffin Drive and North Rouse Avenue crossings. Although there is much to do to reach the projected funding goal, these funds will allow the city to have a shovel-ready project organized and ready to launch.
 
Upgrading these crossings in Bozeman would greatly reduce the noise pollution generated by passing trains, day and night, increasing the quality of life for many in Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley.  Author: Outlaw Partners

 

*NENA will obtain a consensus on a Safe & Quiet Rail Crossings Initiative in the near future either via a digital survey or a show of hands at our bi-annual meeting in January. A fund raiser supported by volunteer donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations would allow those who are opposed to Safe & Quiet Rail Crossings, or those who simply don’t care, to not participate while respecting those who see a potential benefit and improvement of their quality of life with Safe & Quiet Crossings to take part. There may be Federal Infrastructure dollars available for this project as well. Contact nenabozeman@gmail.com with questions or comments. *