Tupelo Council to vote on railroad ‘quiet zone’ study
TUPELO – Loud train whistles throughout Tupelo could turn into memories, starting with a City Council vote today to explore “quiet zones.”
City Council members will likely vote to authorize work on a $138,000 “analysis and diagnostics” study that could lead to quiet zones along railroad tracks in the city.
The study would be a necessary first step toward eliminating train whistles at 22 of Tupelo’s 23 railroad crossings. The exception would be the busiest and most prominent – the intersection at Crosstown.
Mayor Jack Reed Jr. encouraged City Council members Monday at the agenda review session to support the effort. He said it would encourage economic development, safety and quality of life for residents and businesses in the affected areas.
Developers interested in locating near Fairpark downtown have requested the city take steps to limit train noise, Reed said.
While the noise from whistles would go away, Reed pointed to safety gains from the quiet zone designation, which requires gates and flashing lights at crossings.
He said this initial look at intersections and railroad crossings would be necessary for future steps to quiet trains in the city.
