Northeast Mississippi News Daily Journal article about Tupelo’s City Council delaying the vote to explore implementing “quiet zones” along railroad tracks in the city. If passed, SSR would complete necessary first steps of engineering and other technical work required for a quiet zone application.

TUPELO – Wanting more time to ask questions about an effort to create a “quiet zone” along Tupelo railroad crossings, the City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to do more research before proceeding.
On a motion by Ward 1 Councilman Markel Whittington, the council tabled the vote on deciding to pay $138,000 for engineering services related to preparing an application for a quiet zone for the city.
No loud train whistles would be heard in a quiet zone, but safety features at crossings would be enhanced.
Whittington said after the meeting he had questions related to the proposal, which includes each of the city’s 23 railroad crossings except for the busiest and best known, Crosstown.
Mayor Jack Reed Jr. had suggested Monday at a work session that the City Council omit Crosstown because it would nearly double the cost of the first step.
Whittington said the cost and other questions gave him pause, and that he needed more time to examine the right course.
“If we spend the money to move forward, it needs to meet our expectations,” he said.
Whittington stressed the distinction between this project and previous railroad studies in Tupelo. This effort, which would be led by the Smith Seckman Reid engineering firm headquartered in Nashville, would complete necessary first steps of engineering and other technical work required for a quiet zone application.

 

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