Commissioners hear request for railroad "Quiet Zone" in Burr Oak & Hibbard

Michael Ockrim appeared before the County Commissioners because he’s tired of the train whistles at the Norfolk Southern Burr Oak rail crossing on State Road 17 and the Hibbard railroad crossings on Redwood and 15B Roads. He said every train, day and night, blows two long whistles, one short whistle, and another long whistle. He said, “To be honest with you, it sucks. I don’t like it.” He went on to say it disrupts his peace and quiet, which is the reason he bought a house in the country.

Ockrim wasn’t just complaining. He researched the issue and shared plenty of information with the commissioners. He explained that, by law, trains are required to blow their whistles at crossings for safety reasons. Ockrim told the commissioners that if the county makes improvements to the crossings, they can apply to have the area designated a Quiet Zone. 

In his research, Ockrim found that the federal government will fund up to 90% of the improvements, with the county only paying 10%. He also said huge amounts of funds are set aside through the Federal Railway Administration and other government organizations for these improvements.

Michael Ockrim’s proposal to the commissioners was to have County Highway Superintendent Jason Peters start the process in the coming weeks or months.  He said the initial step costs nothing for the county, but gets Norfolk Southern involved, running diagnostics to determine the needed project.

Commissioner Stan Klotz asked County Attorney Sean Surrisi if the county's improvements would impact their liability. Surrisi said the government’s liability is quite low.  He continued saying that following the proper steps to enact a Quiet Zone and making the correct improvements will not affect the county’s liability. Klotz also noted the crossing on State Road 17 would be the state’s project, but the county could support it. 

Ockrim explained the need for radical changes to make the crossing qualify as a Quiet Zone. New crossing gates with updated technology and medians installed, like those by the Dairy Queen in Plymouth and on Pioneer Drive, would be required because they stop vehicles from driving around downed crossing gates.

Commissioner Adam Faulstich appreciated all the research completed by Ockrim and was supportive of the idea. He was interested in the cost, and Commissioner Bohannon said the estimate presented was $50,000 for one crossing or $80,000 for both crossings, with the federal government paying 90% of the cost.  

Ockrim said he’s spoken with Congressman Rudy Yakym’s office, and they are willing to support the project.  His office confirmed that funding is available and will contact the county when funds are available. 

Highway Superintendent Jason Peters attended the meeting and mentioned that another call for the Quiet Zone projects is upcoming. He has been in contact with MACOG (Michiana Area Council of Governments) regarding the application and submission. Peters said it is a competitive bid process, often based on the impact and safety for the community, but he is working on an application.