Fargo residents will get one last chance today to sound off on the city's quiet zone project.
A public input meeting is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. at City Hall.
The Federal Rail Administration is reviewing applications from Fargo and Moorhead to establish a train whistle quiet zone from Eighth Street in Fargo to 14th Street in Moorhead.
Final approval is expected early next year, said Cindy Gray, an associate with SRF Consulting Group, the project consultant.
Public input gathered today will be included in the project concept report, which the North Dakota Department of Transportation must complete to obtain $750,000 in federal funding for the project.
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Starting this spring, Fargo and BNSF Railway will install additional safety gates and medians and close a crossing to allow trains to pass through the two downtowns without sounding their horns.
The work should be finished by the end of 2006, said Jeremy Gorden, Fargo traffic engineer.
Construction and materials will cost Fargo an estimated $1.7 million, plus $535,000 for costs including engineering and advertising.
The cost breakdown includes $750,000 in federal funds, $500,000 from special assessments, $200,000 in city funds and $620,000 from a combination of local property taxes, general fund dollars and tax increment financing.
Fargo has yet to set up the special assessment area. Gorden said it will likely cover a large area around downtown, so the financial impact on individual property tax payers should be minor.
Moorhead will begin work on its $5 million quiet zone project as soon as the ground thaws, City Engineer Bob Zimmerman said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mike Nowatzki at (701) 241-5528
