Placentia Will Get Quiet Trains for Now
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Though a judge this week refused to ban freight-train whistle blasts that have drawn protests from Placentia residents, the rail company said Friday that it will not resume using the signals during late-night hours.
The silence will continue while officials of the city and Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway Co. continue to negotiate for “quiet zone” improvements at city crossings, said George Young, a spokesman for the city.
The railroad, which cited safety concerns when it began using whistles on April 1 for the first time in 25 years, has temporarily stopped using whistles between 10 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. in Placentia.
“It’s very important to our people because, before, no one could sleep,” Young said. “But we will be actively pursuing the construction of barriers that will satisfy federal rules for a quiet zone.”
Placentia officials had sought an injunction that would have stopped the whistle blasts except in emergencies. But Superior Court Judge Raymond J. Ikola ruled Thursday that the law indicates that he cannot interfere.
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