Wausau Committees Vote to Recommend Petition to Railroad Administration for Installation of Crossing Gates at 17th Avenue

Friday, January 12th, 2024 -- 9:01 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) Wausau’s Capital Improvements and Street Maintenance Committee has voted to recommend a petition to the Federal Railroad Administration for the installation of crossing gates at 17th Avenue near Marathon Park.

According to Mike Lesichner with WSAU, committee members including Alder Chad Henke, whose district is impacted by the noise from the area, said the number of complaints about train noise at night has been going up.

“This is hands down the most phone calls I have ever gotten about [a single item]. Between Christmas and now, I think I’ve gotten 12 phone calls.” Committee Chair Lou Larson, who also represents a portion of the area, said he’s been hearing from residents too. “We’ve got people with young kids, people that need to get up for work [the next day] and the trains are blasting their horns at midnight or 9:30 in the evening as they have been.”

While Wausau does have a city ordinance prohibiting train horns between 7 PM and 7 AM, conductors still have the right to blow the horn if they feel someone or something is in danger.

Reasons could include someone walking or standing near the tracks, an animal darting onto the tracks, or a vehicle speeding through an intersection to try to beat the train. Assistant City Attorney Tara Alfonso said the petition process will likely include a review by regulators and public hearings.

If they determine that the crossing, which is sandwiched between two rail yards, is needed they would also determine who pays for it and if the cost will be shared. Alder Lisa Rasmussen said she doesn’t feel that the request is unreasonable.

“What I’m hearing is we are at least interested in hearing if gates are possible. We can’t make the choice but someone else will. I think it makes some sense for us to begin the petition process."

"It seems sensible that a railroad would support such a safety feature because I think their goal is to have less stuff in their way. If a gate keeps that stuff away, I would be hard-pressed to believe that in any context of a hearing they would oppose added safety."

“It seems to me there is not going to be a lot of resistance if we ask for it. We may haggle about who pays for what, but I would be surprised if they come back and fight that. Because it’s safety for them, too,” added Rasmussen. The item will now go to the full council for final approval.

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