Upgraded Railroad Crossings
Could Soon Bring Quiet to Residents of Sandia Pueblo
Three Pueblo
crossings get new gates and flashing lights for added safety
(Sandia Pueblo, NM,
April 22, 2008)- The residents of
Sandia Pueblo may soon be hearing less train noise, thanks to some
upgrades being made at the three railroad crossings on the pueblo.
Each of the three crossings will be outfitted with a four-quadrant
crossing gate system that will make the surrounding area eligible to
be designated a “quiet zone”. The Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA) approved construction that allows communities to minimize
noise impacts by investing in safety features designed to protect
pedestrians and drivers from collisions at railroad crossings.
Unlike the traditional crossing gates which block traffic with one
crossing arm on each side of the track, the four-quadrant gates
barricade all four lanes in both directions, preventing motorists
from trying to beat a train through the crossing.
“We’ve just finished installing our first
four-quadrant system in Valencia County,
and it’s working extremely well”, says
Lawrence Rael, Executive Director for the
Mid-Region Council of Governments. The Mid-Region Council of
Governments is partnering with the Pueblo of Sandia to make some
improvements that will impact the residents of Sandia Pueblo in a
very positive way “.
The three crossings at Sandia Pueblo will be
equipped with the four-quadrant systems at both the North and South
Sandia Loop crossings, as well as at the North Farm Road
crossing near the Pueblo’s
northern boundary. Once the work is complete, an application will be
made to have the area designated an “official quiet zone”.
“We’re very grateful that the New Mexico
Legislature supported this effort”, says Transportation Secretary
Rhonda Faught. The Department is committed to providing an
efficient, convenient, and safe transportation system, and this
measure fits right into that goal,” said. “The upgrades we’re making
will give motorists an extra layer of safety, as well as reduce the
impact of noise in the community.”
Back in January, the stretch of track between
Menaul and Osuna Boulevards in Albuquerque’s north valley
was the first area in the Rail Runner corridor to be designated an
official quiet zone, and the crossing at Aragon Road just north of the Belen Rail
Runner station which was recently upgraded with a Quad-gate, is now
awaiting federal approval.
Construction work on the
Pueblo
started this week. An actual quiet zone designation could come as
soon as 60-days following completion.
More information on the
New Mexico Rail Runner Express can be found at
www.nmrailrunner.com .
Contacts:
- Augusta Meyers Mid-Region Council of
Governments 505-239-8612
- S.U. Mahesh, NM Department of
Transportation 505-490-0976
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