Village seeks unusual method to quiet whistle

Board votes to close intersection to cancel

NORTH FOND DU LAC, Wis. — The North Fond du Lac Village Board is considering an unusual method to silence a train whistle that residents find annoying.

A WLUK-TV report said the whistle is at a Canadian National rail switchyard at Lakeshore Drive.

Federal authorities made a rule effective Memorial Day that trains passing through that intersection sound their whistles there for drivers. There have been two non-fatal accidents between trains and vehicles there since 2007.

Residents want the area reinstated as a quiet zone but the federal government denied their request.

So the board voted 5-0 Friday to close the intersection to drivers. That would theoretically remove the obligation for train whistles to sound.

The public will have a chance to comment on the proposal, which would also need approval from the railroad commissioner.