Quiet Zone Updates

On Wednesday, March 10, 2021 the Notice of Establishment (NOE) was sent to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and BNSF Railroad deeming that the City of Rogers has established a quiet zone at Industrial Boulevard. FRA regulations state that the quiet zone cannot go into effect until at least 21 days after the mailing of the NOE.

This would make the Industrial Boulevard quiet zone effective beginning Thursday, April 1st. This is a major milestone in the delivery in the first quiet zone identified by the City of Rogers Council. This will allow the community to rest a little easier.

A few items to note once the quiet zone does go into effect on April 1st:

There isn’t a guarantee that all trains are quiet when passing through the quiet zone.

1. It may take some time for the train conductors to learn the new quiet zone. They may sound their horn the first few times.

2. The train conductor may sound the horn at their discretion. If there is an issue or concern for safety at the crossing, train horns may still sound.

3. The train may use its bells when passing through the crossing.

Posted March 25, 2021.

In the fall of 2020, City of Rogers Public Works Staff began discussions with BNSF Staff regarding the implementation of a quiet zone at the Industrial Blvd railroad crossing. The City Council authorized the formal process to begin with BNSF to facilitate this location for a federally approved quiet zone.

The first requirement to begin the quiet zone implementation was to schedule an onsite diagnostic meeting with BNSF officials and their contracted consultants from Forth Worth Texas. This meeting took place on-site at Industrial Boulevard, on December 8, 2020. Items identified for approving the quiet zone included revised median lengths to provide a 6” curb extending to the crossing arm gate touchpoint. Additionally, signing and pavement marking improvements were identified as additional federal requirements.

At the completion of the on-site diagnostic meeting, the proposed improvements required the City to obtain necessary insurance and permits to work within the BNSF right-of-way. Public Works Staff was able to expedite this construction permit for the required work through BNSF’s processes and received a fully executed permit January 4, 2020.

The next requirement in the quiet zone process was to submit a formal Notice of Intent (NOI). City Staff and City Administrator processed and sent this to the Federal Railroad Authority in Washington DC on December 23, 2020. The NOI is an important milestone to start the 60-day clock that will allow the City to receive formal approval to designate the Industrial Boulevard Railroad Crossing as a no horn quiet zone crossing.

City Staff worked with the BNSF Roadmaster to schedule the Industrial Blvd Crossing improvements identified in the diagnostic meeting. The cement work extending the medians and curb required additional winter construction methods. The first step was to use ground thawing equipment to remove the frost from the work area. This allowed for saw cutting and removal by City crews on January 19, 2021. With the completion of the removals, new concrete was poured by Schmidt Concrete on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. The new concrete will cure over the next several weeks under frost blankets, and the completed work on all cleanup will be scheduled for Tuesday, January 26, 2021.

With this completed work, the last remaining requirement will be to respond to any comments provided by the Federal Railroad Administration or BNSF at the end of the sixty-day NOI review period. The 60-day clock necessary for the Notice of Intent expires in February. The projected Quiet Zone will be formally established and go into effect in early April 2021. Posted February 1, 2021.

Potential Quiet Zone Crossings in Rogers

1. CSAH 144 – No Gates

2. Industrial Blvd - Gates

3. CSAH 150 (Main St.) – Partial Gates

4. Fletcher Lane – Gravel – No Gates

5. Future 116 Extension – Gates Designed

6. CSAH 13 – ½ Rogers & ½ Dayton

Quiet Zone Assessment Process

• Determine Eligible Crossings

  • Provide $10,000 to BNSF for Consultant Process (3 Crossings)

  • Minimum Spacing ½ Mile

  • Conduct Initial Diagnostic Site Visit

    With MNDOT, FRA, BNSF and Hennepin Co.

• Feasibility Phase

  • Research: Ped Movements, Signage, Pavement Markings, Lighting, ADT, Truck %

  • Update USDOT Crossing inventory items

  • Complete Diagnostic Review Elements and Submit Report

• Develop Notice of Intent (NOI)

  • Specify Time Restrictions 24 hrs or 10 PM-7 AM, Specify Point of Contact by Applicant

  • Include Timeline and Funding Process

  • Submit NOI on Final Selected Crossings

• NOI Process

  • Follows Train Horn Rule (FRA)

  • 60 Day Review Period

  • City Receives and Responds to Comments from Agencies – Resolve Issues from Review

• Hennepin County Process

  • Work With County Engineering on Layout and Improvements to Roadway/ROW

  • Request Delegation to City for Implement FRA Quiet Zone Process (Both Must Support)

  • Obtain HCPW Permit for Roadway Improvements

• Quiet Zone Application

  • 60 Day Review Period

  • FRA provides Response – Must Pass QZ Risk Calculations to Qualify

  • Respond to Recommendations – If Any

• Public Improvement Process

  • Roadway: Engineering Develops Plans and Specs, CC Authorize to Bid, Award Contract, Construction and except Improvements

  • RR Crossing Improvements: Obtain Design Approval from BNSF, Negotiate Construction Contract for BNSF Improvements

  • New: Agree to pay 40 YR Maint. Costs for BNSF. Construct and Finance all QZ Improvements.

• Quiet Zone Notice of Establishment

  • Quiet Zone is Established 21 days after Mailing

  • FRA provides Official Change of Status to Railroad Authority - BNSF

  • City of Rogers Receives Quiet Zone Status for Rogers Residents only at approved Crossings

Limits to the Quiet Zone Status

• BNSF Rail Operating Engineer has Discretion to Still Use Horns

  • Obstruction On Track-Vehicles

  • Animal on Track

  • Pedestrians