[Winona Online Democracy]
A couple of points. The City of Winona continues a process of upgrading all train crossings to meet the anticipated requirements to make the community whistle free. It primarily requires the addition of median dividers in addition to the existing cross arms at each intersection. We have five additional intersections scheduled for 2002. An extensive railroad study is underway locally, a public meeting was held last week, that is addressing overpasses, rail yards, safety etc. A minimum of three "grade separations" are being discussed. Improvements on Pelzer St. which are currently scheduled for 2005, unless we can get additional State assistance earlier, will include an overpass, street widening and signals at fifth St. The City is disappointed in the results of the report thus far and will consider our options. At the same time the trains will likely be coming because of the DME improvement or the high speed connection between Chicago and Minneapolis. The City Council is actively pursuing ways to improve all City traffic issues including the trains. We are always open to positive input related to needed improvements. Keith Nelson Assistant City Manager for Public Works City of Winona, MN -----Original Message----- From: Chris Nelson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2001 1:45 PM To: onlinedemocracy Subject: [Winona] trains and more trains I must say I wasn't shocked when I found out the Surface Transportation Board won't being holding DM and E responsible for noise abatement issues and the building of under and over passes in Winona. With the potential for 30 odd trains coming through Winona and with each train having more than 100 cars to it, I could see Winona being cut in half for a majority of the day. Rather than saying you life in the East End of town or the West End people might end up saying they live north or south of the tracks. Emergency services will be greatly hampered with the increase of train traffic. I can see the need for an ambulance garage south of the tracks and increasing fire personnel at the West Station. With the new federal guidelines concerning the lay out of train tracks and roadway intersections, I would imagine trains will start blowing their whistles unless the intersections are fixed to meet the guidelines. With all the intersections Winona has and how far away a train has to start blowing its whistle before it gets to an intersection, there will be a lot more noise by the tracks and throughout the town which will in turn cause the quality of life to go down. What can this group do to make the Federal Government hear our concerns? In light of this set back, does the city have any realistic hopes that the Federal Government will step in and help us out? Is the city going to start the process for the construction of the over and under passes, or will it wait to see what the Feds are willing to do? Chris --------------- This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy Please visit http://onlinedemocracy.winona.org to subscribe or unsubscribe All messages sent to the list must be signed with your actual name. Posting of commercial soliticitations is not allowed on this list. Report problems or questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
