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Voters to city: Revisit train noise
Last Updated: August 17, 2017

Valley Center is a warm community with familiar faces, and its inviting atmosphere is one of the many reasons families settle here. In addition, the public pool, abundance of parks, strong school system and proximity to Wichita and its amenities help keep residents here and grow the population.

A common feature of most small-town communities is quietness and the appeal of enjoying the outdoors without noise pollution caused by excessive traffic and various commercial enterprises. Valley Center has been immune to most causes of noise pollution. However, the increasing frequency of trains and the horns used as they pass through the city is a concern for a growing number of residents.

The Federal Railroad Administration states 32 trains pass through Valley Center on a daily basis. That equates to at least one train every hour passing through the city, and the number is expected to increase as the economy continues to improve and the demand for goods grows.

More important than establishing a quiet outdoor setting is the promotion of a quality learning environment for USD 262 students. There are two elementary schools and a public library all located within a half mile of train tracks. Educational activities are disrupted by train horns several times a day.

The city commissioned the Valley Center Train Committee, and its findings, which are dated March 18, 2008, detailed options to mitigate or eliminate horn noise of passing trains. Brief email conversations with various council members five years ago yielded no interest due to the perceived prohibitive nature of the costs to implement "quiet zones" versus the need to focus resources on other areas.

Voters are asking the city to revisit this issue and explore options to reduce/eliminate train horn noise used by other communities (for example, wayside horns, closed crossings, improved gating, etc.).

Valley Center residents understand budgetary restrictions. However, prioritizing the reduction/elimination of train horn noise pollution provides the city with an opportunity to attract additional taxpaying citizens and work toward a long-range vision of being a highly desired family friendly city.

— Randall Smith, Valley Center




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