The City of Forney reversed course on their October decision to close Elm Street for the purposes of implementing a railroad quiet zone. The city is still on course to implement the quiet zone but, at the request of local businesses, all downtown intersections will remain open.
The Forney City Council made the decision to close the intersection during their October 15, 2013, City Council meeting. Although no vote was taken to not close the intersection, the City of Forney will notify the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) of their plans to keep it open.
The purpose of closing the intersection was to gain additional parking spaces downtown – which City of Forney Director of Public Works Chris Metz said is not budgeted at this time.
Now, the crossings at Farm-to-Market (FM) 740/South Bois D'Arc Street, Elm Street, Center Street, and Chestnut will need to be constructed to meet quiet zone standards as set by the FRA. FM 548 already meets the standards and will not need any additional construction. The construction of the crossings has already been approved and budgeted by the Forney City Council.
The completion of the quiet zone is expected in the summer of 2014.
The purpose of closing the intersection was to gain additional parking spaces downtown – which City of Forney Director of Public Works Chris Metz said is not budgeted at this time.
Now, the crossings at Farm-to-Market (FM) 740/South Bois D'Arc Street, Elm Street, Center Street, and Chestnut will need to be constructed to meet quiet zone standards as set by the FRA. FM 548 already meets the standards and will not need any additional construction. The construction of the crossings has already been approved and budgeted by the Forney City Council.
The completion of the quiet zone is expected in the summer of 2014.