(Washington, DC) - U.S.  Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Queens/L.I.) today announced that a House panel has approved $125,000 to help silence blaring horns the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is required to blast each time its trains pass through the community of Little Neck, Queens.

The funds, inserted into legislation by the House Appropriations Committee—at Ackerman’s request—would be used to upgrade the gates at the LIRR crossing on Little Neck Parkway, a spot that sees more than 80 trains per day, each one blasting its horns day and night. Specifically, the money would help close the gaps that exist in the gates.

Due to these gaps—which vehicles and people can easily squeeze through—the trains are mandated by federal rules to sound their horns when approaching the crossing in order to warn traffic and pedestrians. But once the gaps are closed, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) can classify the Little Neck crossing as a quiet zone, a designation that allows trains to pass through a crossing without blasting their horns because sufficient safety measures are in-place. 

In 2005, the federal government began requiring all trains to blow their horns at crossings where inadequate safety measures exist. These passing trains must blast their horns at high decibels for 15 to 20 seconds prior to arriving at the crossing.

The funds were included in the Treasury, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill. The measure must still be passed by the full House and Senate and signed into law by President Bush before they can be made available.

“Although there are still many hurdles to clear, we have passed a critical first step” said Ackerman. “The residents of Little Neck deserve relief from the constant blistering of LIRR horns so they can sleep, enjoy their weekends and have a good quality of life.”

“In addition, the funds would provide much greater safety for area motorists and pedestrians” Ackerman added.

The funds would be administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation while state and local agencies would use the money to construct the crossing’s safety improvements.

Ackerman had secured money for the quiet zone project in the same legislation during the last session of Congress. However, the funds were eventually stripped out due to the failure of the previous Republican-controlled Congress to pass the legislation into law before it adjourned.

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