Crossings: New York DOT schedules hearing on proposed closure; Georgia city pursues quiet zones

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) plans to hold a public hearing July 10 in Verona to review a proposal to close the town's Sand Hill Road grade crossing.

Because it's a "redundant" or unnecessary crossing, NYSDOT plans to eliminate it, state officials said in a meeting notice. Sand Hill Road crosses over a CSX Transportation mainline that's among the busiest in the state, hosting up to 60 freight and Amtrak trains daily, they said.

A grade-separated crossing, or overpass, at Randel Road is located west of Sand Hill Road. NYSDOT also proposes to rehabilitate the Randel Road overpass prior to closing the Sand Hill Road crossing, and make minor improvements to Kotary Road to accommodate additional traffic resulting from the crossing closure.

"The closure and upgrades to the Randel Road overpass and Kotary Road will improve safety and traffic mobility in the area," NYSDOT officials said. "This hearing will establish a record and enable a determination as to whether the closure of the Sand Hill Road crossing is in the public interest."

Meanwhile, officials in Acworth, Ga., are attempting to make the municipality the first city in the Southeast to silence train horns at all its crossings.

City leaders are working with CSX, Federal Railroad Administration and Georgia Department of Transportation officials to establish quiet zones at all five crossings in Acworth. Work might begin in summer 2014 and conclude in early 2015.