February 6, 2020 - today.tamu.edu -

Silencing train horns adjacent to the College Station campus will improve quality of life for the campus community adjacent to the railroad corridor.

The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents gave approval during its regular meeting Thursday to move forward with pursuing a railroad quiet zone adjacent to the flagship campus in College Station.

The regents unanimously agreed to add the $5 million quiet zone project to the Texas A&M University System Capital Plan. They also appropriated $500,000 for pre-construction services for the project, which will begin this fiscal year.

A quiet zone will silence train horns along 1.7 miles of the Union Pacific Railroad corridor near the Texas A&M University campus. In the absence of a train horn, trackside safety improvements will need to be made at the four crossings within the proposed quiet zone at F&B Road, Old Main Drive, John Kimbrough Boulevard and George Bush Drive.

“For some time, our faculty, staff, students and local residents have been asking for a way to reduce noise in that area,” said Texas A&M President Michael K. Young. “We’ve seen how advanced technologies can help us create a quiet zone and still make sure everyone remains safe. Thanks to the Board of Regents’ approval, this will be one of the many ways we continue to improve safety for every member of the university and local communities.”

Read more: https://today.tamu.edu/2020/02/06/texas-am-system-regents-approve-quiet-zone-project/