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June 17, 2016

Time to fix train horn noise

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We've all heard it. In many Colorado communities, not a day goes by without hearing a piercingly loud train horn, whether it's midnight or mid-morning. Though our communities have tolerated this problem, they are certainly not complacent with, or happy with the noise, and neither are we.

Train horns are a disturbance. They interrupt families, wake small children, bother the elderly, and disrupt conversation. Not only does this sound diminish the quality of our day-to-day lives, it hurts Colorado's economy. In urban cities and small towns alike, train horns are stifling economic growth by pushing current and potential business and development away from railway crossings.

We agree with the public safety intent of train horns. The Federal Rail Administration (FRA) requires them to warn motorists, pedestrians, and animals of their crossing. However, the requirements for implementing safe alternatives to train horns are often rigid and impractical for local communities. We're left without a reasonable balance between public safety, rail commerce, and public peace.

Coloradans have spoken, and we have heard their voices. In Congress, we've worked across party lines with Sen. Cory Gardner and Reps. Ed Perlmutter and Ken Buck to write letters and file amendments demanding the FRA re-evaluate train horn regulations and give more flexibility to municipalities so they can establish quiet zones. Finally, in March, after years of hearing from Colorado, the FRA formally opened the rule for public comment. While we're fortunate that our communities can now directly voice their concerns and share their opinion (until July 5), we still have work to do to fix the rule.

Today, we will host FRA Administrator Sarah Feinberg in Loveland and Fort Collins. This is an opportunity for Administrator Feinberg to hear train horns first-hand, see the logistical challenges the quiet zone rules create, and receive our communities' feedback in person. It's also a prime chance for our local officials, business representatives, and residents to weigh in on an issue that affects them daily (sometimes hourly). We urge Administrator Feinberg to listen to Coloradans and to make the right decision, one that will update the train horn regulations so that more Northern Colorado communities can establish Quiet Zones to end train horn noise.

Through town halls, phone calls, and letters, it's clear that this matters to Coloradans. We're thankful for your participation and feedback over the years as we've worked with you to fight train horn noise. We will continue to work on this matter at the federal level until it is resolved.

Your continued involvement will be critical as the FRA decides whether it will make changes to the train horn rules. We remain confident that change is on the horizon, and we look forward to a quieter Northern Colorado where families, businesses, and communities no longer have to be disrupted by these unbearably loud train horns.

Michael Bennet is a U.S. senator for Colorado, and Jared Polis is the 2nd Congressional District representative.

Published online in the Fort Collins Coloradoan (June 17, 2016)


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