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<br /> tom; 08. B9 p3 1pPM OREGON FUC UTILITY POD <br /> t~~r ~ <br /> "whistle-free" zone o~ntains 10 public crossings, each equipped with <br /> automata warning devices aansisting of flashing lights, automatic gates and <br /> be11s. <br /> U der terms of the ~'tJC order, the whistle prohibition cannot be° <br /> impl ted until safety improvements have been completed at each public <br /> grossing. These improvements are designed to improve visibility at the <br /> crossin and include installirtg mare powerful lights, trimming vegetation and <br /> prohibi ' g on-street parking near certain a~ossings. No schedule has yet been <br /> establish for completion of the work, which will be coordinated by the PITC <br /> rail g safety staff with the city and the railroad. . <br /> e only private crossing in the section is an Eugene Water and Electric <br /> Board p perty? between the Nigh and Hilyard Street crossings. SP locomotives <br /> array con ue to sound whistles at this classing, which is not under PUC <br /> juris n, <br /> ' is a difficult Case," the cnmatissioit order states. "t"here is na <br /> question that residents of central Eugene are suffering cnntinu3ng detrimental <br /> effects fr whis i u ' <br /> tie no se poi tion.... On the other hand, poor track visibility, <br /> obstru signal visibility and high traffic volumes c3eate significant safety <br /> prob .Eugene residents, and all crossing users benefit from safer rail . <br /> crossin .The commission is persuaded by the record in this proceeding that, at <br /> present, sin whistles provide a necessary margin of safety in addition to that <br /> pravi by the crossing signals.,. <br /> commission said there were few complaints about daytime noise <br /> disturb in this case, but many complaints about SP train whistles at night. . <br /> e PUC order noted that the term "whistle" echoes the steam-engine age . <br /> and that trains, including the SP locomotives on this line, use air horns as <br /> warnin and signaling devices. - <br /> ~i+1t <br /> NOTE to Nora and ri8wa dtre~tors:' <br /> The Ore n PUC over to this case is No. 88.1037 Casa ~tX 355. Auflctst 2, 1089. Copisa of the <br /> order are vatlable from thA PUC Administrative Heartrgs Dlvistan~ i.abor ~ Industries Butkiing, <br /> Salem O 97310-0335 (st)3j 878807. <br /> <br />