Politics & Government

Train Whistles Could Fall Silent Within 6 Months

Canadian National Railway agreed with New Lenox last year to pay for the upgrades necessary to qualify for quiet zones, and Will County officials recently approved local quiet zones in its jurisdiction.

Noisy train whistles coming from the EJ&E rail line in south New Lenox could be silenced as soon as six months from now.

Mayor Tim Baldermann said during last week's meeting that one last hurdle was cleared: getting approval for the local crossings in Will County jurisdiction.

In Decemeber 2010, the board approved a deal with Canadian National Railway that will give New Lenox quiet zones, landscaping and safety mechanisms for one of its rail lines at no cost.

Find out what's happening in New Lenoxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There are five roads that cross at the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway line, but two of them are the county's: Cedar and Gougar roads. The county board recently approved the construction necessary for quiet zones at those crossings.

Find out what's happening in New Lenoxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Baldermann and Administrator Kurt Carroll met with the Will County Board to explain the situation. The mayor said construction would begin early next year and could be completed in six months.

Canadian National will pay to upgrade all five rail line crossings in the village to make them safe for quiet zones.


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