I wish I could to report on progress in developing the quiet zone since our last posting but that is not the case.
We have run into a wall of delay and non-response on the part of CSX. It is difficult not to conclude that CSX is ignoring the efforts of Albany County and Voorheesville to establish a quiet zone. In so doing they are thwarting the will of Congress, which recognized the benefits of quiet zones to communities – including enhanced quality of life, improved property values and, as shown conclusively by the Federal Railroad Administration, increased safety. The quiet zone project will succeed only if there is strong citizen support for it and that support is expressed forcefully to CSX, our elected officials and the media.
Background
In 2013 CSX provided us a written proposal of $26,818 to complete an engineering design for a four-quadrant gate system. In addition, CSX provided a preliminary estimate of $200,000 for total project costs. The engineering design was to provide final cost estimates. The Albany County Legislature appropriated $27,500 for the design and in August 2014, per quiet zone regulations, the Albany County Department of Public Works issued a Notice of Intent to Establish a Quiet Zone in Voorheesville. In March 2015, after six months of effort on the part of the Village, the engineering firm retained by CSX to do the engineering design responded with a proposal for a design costing $87,000. Efforts by the Village to get clarification on their proposal since then have received no response. The Village and the Committee have contacted Congressman Tonko for his assistance in this matter.
Steve Schreiber
Committee for a Quiet Zone in Voorheesville