Text of Senator Charles Schumer's Letter to Allan Rutter, Federal Railroad Administration

Dear Mr. Rutter:

I am writing to urge the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to support the effort by Rockland County transportation officials to seek $2 million in federal funds for improved rail crossings. The rail crossings should be made safe enough so that exceptionally loud diesel train horns would no longer need to blare at all hours of the day.

CSX Transportation, whose purchase of the Conrail system was supported by the federal government, has more than doubled freight on the West Shore line, resulting in nearly constant blaring diesel horns. The horns are necessary because under current regulations the crossings are not deemed safe enough for a whistle not to be blown when trains pass through. As you may know, consultants for Rockland last year completed an extensive study saying installing safety gates and highway dividers, and removing unsafe crossings, would make the crossings safe enough to eliminate the need for the horns.

Rockland residents have been complaining about the nearly deafening noise coming from these diesel trains for quite some time. This noise has persisted at an increasing rate since the federal government encouraged more trains in the area, and as a result, it is my belief that the FRA should step in and make the crossing safer. This will not only eliminate the need for the blaring horns, but help control traffic.

The county is actively trying to secure $2 million in federal funds to improve the rail crossings, an effort I strongly support. The never-ending blare of diesel horns is not only irksome and painful for residents, but it potentially violates federal noise standards. Since the federal government helped get Rockland in this situation in the first place by encouraging busy rail conditions, it owes it to the county to right the ship, improve the crossings, and rid the area of diesel train horns.

Closing some of the more dangerous crossings would also help control traffic. In Orangetown, news reports say that traffic backs out onto dangerous Route 303 at the Erie Street crossing, where trains cross every 30 minutes or so. In addition to backed-up car traffic, excessive trains sometimes mean emergency services have to take lengthy and potentially deadly detours.

I thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your reply. If I may be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to call.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senate