AUSTIN, Texas – The Seaholm District in downtown Austin is one of the fastest-growing areas in the city, but an inescapable sound is angering residents.
- Seaholm residents complain of noisy train
- Train tracks in place for 100 years
- Hope the city will step in
While there are many perks to living in the neighborhood, an incessant screech coming from the train can be heard throughout the district.
“Like if I am on the balcony or watching TV at night, even with the door closed you can definitely hear the train,” said Lauren Conley, Seaholm resident.
A group of residents trying to make a change created the website CalminAustin.org, which is music to the ears of locals.
“I believe 100 to 110 decibels, which is equivalent to standing three feet away from a lawnmower,” said Whit Ewen with Calm in Austin.
Residents said each time the train screeches around a curve they are woken up at night.
“It is a sound like if you were standing even 100 feet away it is as if you were standing right next to a loud speaker that has one of those feedback sort of squeals it is just painful,” said Ewen.
The coalition said they have had positive talks with Union Pacific. The company’s train tracks have been in the area for more than 100 years.
Union Pacific released the following statement:
“We explained the efforts made by the railroad to mitigate the noise and that any future possible efforts would need to be developed by outside sources and to the railroad for our consideration. We remain open to communicating and working with the residents in the area, with the understanding of inherent limitations.”
The Austin group hopes the city will step in and help. They are requesting the city hire a rail noise expert to determine the best solution.