Quiet Zone Update

To recap, CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway have proposed a track merger in Voorheesville that would reactivate the track along Prospect Street and allow two Norfolk Southern trains to pass through the Village each day. The proposal is before the National Transportation Safety Board awaiting a decision. Approval is expected in early 2022. This proposal has complicated the design and implementation of the Quiet Zone.

At the December 21, 2021 meeting of the Voorheesville Village Board, Mayor Straut signed an agreement between the Village, CSX and Norfolk Southern to advance the Quiet Zone project. This agreement is a major step forward and we applaud the Mayor and the Village government for their efforts on behalf of the Quiet Zone.

At the same time, we should remember that the County, which owns the roads at the Voorheesville Avenue and Main Street crossings, is the only party that can contract with the railroads and make decisions regarding the design and construction of the Quiet Zone. It is essential that the County provide the necessary focus and follow through on this project to make sure it happens. In this regard we appreciate the continuing efforts of County Legislator Reinhardt on behalf of the Quiet Zone.

Elements of the agreement include:

• CSX and Norfolk Southern will share with the Quiet Zone project, the relevant survey and design work associated with the merger of the CSX and Norfolk Southern tracks in Voorheesville.
• CSX and Norfolk Southern will incorporate the Quiet Zone into their regular construction schedule for upgrades and track improvements.
• CSX agrees keep Quiet Zone construction costs to its August 2016 estimate of $288,000. This addresses any problem of funding shortfall due to inflation or design and construction contingencies. The amount is well within the funding that has been made available by the New York State legislature for the project.
• Norfolk Southern will contribute $125,000 for Quiet Zone-related expenses at the Main Street crossing.

Please refer to the Altamont Enterprise December 24, 2021 issue for further details on the agreement.

Steve Schreiber

Chair, Committee for a Quiet Zone in Voorheesville