Town Of Wakefield: Broadway Reopening Receives Approval

Press release from the Town of Wakefield:

October 15, 2021 - 1:25pm

Wakefield’s Amended Public Authority Application submission has been formally approved by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). After a statutory notification period concludes on October 29, 2021, the Broadway crossing can open under the Town’s Pre-Rule Quiet Zone status. Watch Town Engineer William Renault provide the update at the October 14 Town Council meeting.

Even in a quiet zone, conductors can exercise discretion during emergency situations, like the presence of a vehicle or a person on the track. Under federal regulations, locomotive horns must sound to warn railroad maintenance employees when work is being performed on the rails.

Next StepsThe Town will seek funds at Town Meeting on November 6 and will apply for grant funding to perform additional upgrades to enhance the safety of Wakefield’s crossings, including a quad gate at Broadway. Though not required for this October 29 reopening, the improvements will ensure that Wakefield’s risk index remains at an appropriate level and no issues arise during regularly scheduled safety reviews.

This press release was produced by the Town of Wakefield.The views expressed here are the author’s own.