The first train crossed a new bridge on the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) at midnight on March 8th. Built as part of the railroad quiet zone project, the 8,200-foot bridge will eliminate three crossings at Belt Line, Briery and Story roads.
The project will improve the quality of life for Irving residents and businesses near the TRE and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe lines. In addition to eliminating train horn noise, quiet zones also will provide increased safety to motorists.
An additional track will be added to the bridge by March 2010. The second track will run from Irby Lane through Valley View Lane, which will allow for increased commuter rail services. Extension of the second track to Valley View Lane is set to be completed by the fall of 2010.
In addition to the bridge, (at-grade) railroad crossing improvements also are included in the quiet zone project. Crossings at Britain and Union Bower roads, and Pioneer Drive were made into quiet zones through the installation of quad-gates—four gates that block the entire width of the road—or the use of a raised median to keep motorists from driving around the gates once they have closed. Construction is under way at additional crossings at MacArthur Boulevard, Rogers Road, Irby Lane and Gilbert Road.
The $70 million quiet zone project is funded by a variety of sources, including local bond funds, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, and the state and federal governments.
The project will improve the quality of life for Irving residents and businesses near the TRE and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe lines. In addition to eliminating train horn noise, quiet zones also will provide increased safety to motorists.
An additional track will be added to the bridge by March 2010. The second track will run from Irby Lane through Valley View Lane, which will allow for increased commuter rail services. Extension of the second track to Valley View Lane is set to be completed by the fall of 2010.
In addition to the bridge, (at-grade) railroad crossing improvements also are included in the quiet zone project. Crossings at Britain and Union Bower roads, and Pioneer Drive were made into quiet zones through the installation of quad-gates—four gates that block the entire width of the road—or the use of a raised median to keep motorists from driving around the gates once they have closed. Construction is under way at additional crossings at MacArthur Boulevard, Rogers Road, Irby Lane and Gilbert Road.
The $70 million quiet zone project is funded by a variety of sources, including local bond funds, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, and the state and federal governments.
