It may get nosier at a dozen railroad crossings in Madison this summer, but the state railroad commissioner says is will be safer when trains use their horns at those crossings.
Despite a city ban on train whistles, State Railroad Commissioner Rodney Kreunen has ordered horns to be blown at 12 railroad crossings.
The city has asked for a hearing on the matter next month. That will delay the whistles for another 20 days.
But Commissioner Kreunen says he had to act because concern has been building after a number of near misses at those crossings.
"I couldn't walk away and ignore it any further. West Washington, we were faced to get on with it right away. We were trying to avoid a conflict with the city, but rail safety governs the issue, whoever's toes we step on," says Kreunen.
The city is working to create quiet zones at several crossings.
Trains would not be allowed to blow their horns if signals and gates are built at those crossings.
