Highland Park Presses Union Pacific Over Excessive Train Horn Noise

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Highland Park officials said the city has been in regular contact with Union Pacific Railroad for more than a week, urging immediate action over ongoing train horn noise affecting residential areas at all hours of the day.

According to the city, the excessive horn sounding continued for more than a week and drew frustration and anger from residents.

Feedback from Union Pacific indicated that overgrown vegetation in the railroad's right-of-way required trains to sound their horns. The city said clearing that vegetation is the railroad's responsibility so safe train traffic can continue.

Residents have complained that the issue has disrupted quality of life in nearby neighborhoods.

On Aug. 20, the city sent Union Pacific formal notice calling on the railroad to cease and desist from any non-essential horn sounding within Highland Park. According to the city, that notice also urged Union Pacific to take immediate action to restore safe and unobstructed conditions within its right-of-way, including removal of vegetation and landscaping obstructions and restoration of required sightlines.

The next day, Union Pacific contacted the city to confirm that the Clavey Road vegetation work order was cleared. The city also said Union Pacific reported that another vegetation order had been implemented at the Park Avenue crossing with urgent priority.

Highland Park said it will continue to press Union Pacific for a rapid resolution to what it described as both a public safety issue and a quality of life concern. The city has also asked Union Pacific to put a proactive vegetation management program in place to prevent excessive overgrowth in the future.

Residents who want to report concerns directly to Union Pacific can call 888-877-7267.