Baldwin seeks agreement with CSX

"Quiet zone," crossing improvements discussed

By LYNSIE BREAUX

The town of Baldwin is trying to take lemons and make lemonade.

Expansion at the Port of Jacksonville is expected to greatly increase the number of trains going through Baldwin every day. Stan Totman, mayor of the Town of Baldwin, is trying to get multiple improvements from the railroad in exchange.

"I see this as a three prong plan," Totman said. "First of all, the rails are coming, second is the quiet zone and third is the bypass."

And despite a less than unanimous vote, the council authorized Mayor Totman to negotiate an agreement with CSX that may result in no more train horns in the town.

In return for a few concessions by the town, CSX has agreed to help the town petition the Department of Transportation to expedite the town's bypass.

Cliff Slayton, Director of Public Affairs and Safety for CSX explained to the council what is required for the town to get a quiet zone designated by the federal government. "Normally it's the responsibility of the city to pay for all these improvements," Slayton said. "Because of the expansion coming through Baldwin, we are willing to help out here and be a good neighbor."

In exchange for closing two crossings, and the town paying roughly $250,000 they received as a grant for crossing improvements, CSX will complete all other improvements needed for the federal rail authorities to grant a quiet zone for the town of Baldwin. The entire project will cost roughly $1.2 million with CSX paying nearly $1 million.

Though debate was lively, Councilman Guy Ambrose cast the lone dissenting vote against the CSX agreement expressing concern about two way traffic on a road that's barely built for one way cars.

"I want to see CSX come up with some plan for the people in Duval Circle," Ambrose said. " I want them to make this palatable. I think they (CSX) can pay for all these improvements."

Ambrose went on to express his concern that the trains are coming through the town regardless and the town should be compensated for being inconvenienced.

CSX outlined a plan for the town in which they will improve the rail crossings as part of their other construction work in the town including the addition of tracks and improvement of existing tracks.

After the work is complete, the town will be eligible to apply to the federal government for a quiet zone covering Duval Street, Oliver Street, U.S. 90, U.S. 301 and the rail-trail crossing.

The extent of the quiet zone also became a point of contention for Ambrose.

"This won't even be a quiet zone for Baldwin because it doesn't include Yellow Water Road," Ambrose said. "And you can bet they'll be blowing their horns right up to Yellow Water."

The council passed 3-1 a motion authorizing the mayor to negotiate with CSX for the establishment of a quiet zone. However, after they reach an agreement, the mayor and CSX will once again have to discuss the details of the agreement.