CR 99-96 Noise Study of Railroad Operations
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May 6, 1999 Council Report 99-096
NOISE STUDY OF RAILROAD OPERATIONS
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to authorize an expense of up
to $2.000 for the City of Hopkins to participate in a noise analysis of railroad operations
with the cities of Minnetonka and S1. Louis Park.
Overview
For a number of years the city of S1. Louis Park has been analyzing railroad operations
within their city in several locations. In the past several months, the city of Minnetonka
has begun analyzing railroad operations in residential portions of their community as
well. Both communities are experiencing significant railroad noise in residential
neighborhoods, which is affecting the livability of some neighborhoods. RLK-Kuusisto
Ltd. has been hired to analyze options for minimizing disruption within those
communities by looking at alternatives to the existing railroad operations. One of the
options includes moving some of the existing activity to the industrial areas of Hopkins.
As part of this analysis, Minnetonka and St. Louis Park have determined the necessity
. for a noise study in order to gain statistical data relative to the impact of railroad
operations.
Hopkins has been invited to join in the study through both technical and financial
participation.
Staff is of the opinion that participation in the study would have benefit to the City of
Hopkins and is requesting Council's approval of this expense.
Primary Issues to Consider
. What will be analyzed in the study?
. What are potential short and long-term solutions to existing problems?
. What are the timelines for decision making in this process?
Supporting Information
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Steven C. Mielke
City Manager
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. Staff Analysis of Issues
. What will be analyzed in the study?
The Study will analyze the noise levels of various rail operations and report the
findings in a report. The information will include items relevant to Hopkins such as
noise levels at various distances from the tracks, noise levels of activities such as
blocking, whistle blowing, braking, switching, and through traffic. These are all
relevant activities in Hopkins and are expected to increase in the near future.
. What are potential short and long-term solutions to existing problems?
The discussions with our neighboring cities have identified short and long-term
alternatives to the existing situation.
Short term, operations could be moved into the industrial areas of Hopkins for all
blocking operations. This alternative would move blocking from the residential
areas of Minnetonka and S1. Louis Park to the area between the Minnetonka/
Hopkins border and 5th Avenue in Hopkins.
Alternatively, a sharing of the blocking could be shared between the cities with the
. majority of nighttime blocking being done in Hopkins, and the majority of daytime
operations being done in the residential areas of 81. Louis Park and Minnetonka.
Long term, the most viable option is to move all of the operations to an area near
the City of Glencoe. TC&W is currently studying this alternative and has expressed
optimism about the idea.
. What are the timelines for decision making in this process?
The cities of 81. Louis Park and Minnetonka have already authorized the study and
have instructed the consultants to begin. The results are anticipated by the end of
Mayor beginning of June.
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