Round Rock is one step closer to quiet zone certification for its railroad crossings in its city limits. Union Pacific Corp. provided city officials with an estimate of $2 million for construction costs earlier this year, which will lead to the final stage of certification.

A certified quiet zone is approved by federal mandate and reduces noise in neighborhoods adjacent to railroad crossings by limiting or preventing the sounding of train horns.

Round Rock Transportation Director Gary Hudder said UP gave the city a price, and they found it acceptable. The work will modify existing railroad crossings so it is more difficult for motorists to illegally drive through the crossing when the arms are down. This can be done by installing two arms on either side of the road and/or by using medians.

Hudder said Union Pacific would be responsible for the actual construction at railroad crossings, and the city would fund the project.

“The city manager had to confirm the funds are available, which they have been for some time,” Hudder said. “Once they’ve been given this confirmation to move forward—that we understand the cost, and we’re prepared to take care of that—they will schedule the construction. When we have to actually issue those funds to the railroad, that action will come back to council, because that [cost] will be significant.”

According to Hudder, the city’s financial obligation is not an absolute guarantee of government approval from the Federal Railroad Administration. To certify the city as a quiet zone, an application for final certification must be made to the FRA after construction is complete.

“The obvious intent assumes once these improvements are in place, it would qualify you for a quiet zone, but it’s always the caveat that it doesn’t necessarily obligate [the FRA] to issue a quiet zone certification,” Hudder said.

Jeff DeGraff, media relations director for Union Pacific, said the rail company’s next step is in the hands of the city of Round Rock.

“All of this has to be done and approved by Round Rock, and Union Pacific would not do anything until Round Rock approves everything and gives us the go-ahead to start. In a sense, we act as a contractor hired by Round Rock to do this work,” DeGraff said.

According to DeGraff, FRA involvement is vital for any quiet zone project.

“Speaking broadly, we’d be looking at about a year to get everything taken care of and actually get the quiet zone implemented."

– Jeff DeGraff, media relations director for Union Pacific

“That’s where the process begins and ends—with the FRA. Any community interested in a quiet zone petitions the FRA to implement a quiet zone in a specific area, and this [request] is all driven by the city of Round Rock,” DeGraff said.

DeGraff said the scope of the project is to revamp crossings along Hwy. 79 and McNeil Road from Red Bud Lane to CR 172, and the earliest implementation of the proposal would not occur until 2017.

“Speaking broadly, we’d be looking at about a year to get everything taken care of and actually get the quiet zone implemented. Of course, with any type of construction, those timelines can vary,” DeGraff said.

Hudder said he expects Union Pacific to provide additional details as the city moves forward.

“As they get closer to an actual start date, I’m assuming they would give us those details so we can share them with the community because obviously it’s going to be disruptive,” Hudder said.

As a general rule, DeGraff said Union Pacific does not promote quiet zones as it restricts the use of train whistles in designated areas.

“We like to make sure residents are aware that changes will be made as to how to safely interact at crossings,” DeGraff said. “If it does get approved, drivers need to be aware there won’t be train horns sounding as [a train] approaches a crossing.”