Three hundred residents of the Ballantrae subdivision signed a petition asking the Dublin City Council in September to pursue a federal "quiet zone" designation at CSX crossings at Rings and Cosgray roads, along the back of the subdivision. Such a designation requires safety upgrades at crossings so that trains aren't required to blow their horns.

The council asked city administrators to research the issue. Tonight, the council is expected to discuss a report prepared by City Manager Terry Foegler and City Engineer Paul Hammersmith.

That report points out that the Rings Road crossing isn't in Dublin, but instead is under the jurisdiction of Franklin County. Foegler writes, however, that addressing just those two crossings probably wouldn't solve the noise issue in the area anyway.

Quiet zones have been established in three Ohio communities, and it is an expensive and long process, officials say.

Foegler and Hammersmith suggest that Dublin seek the cooperation of Franklin and Madison counties and the cities of Columbus and Hilliard to consider seeking the designation for a 6-mile stretch of CSX rail line that runs from a crossing at Leap Road in Hilliard to a crossing in Kileville near Rt. 161 in Madison County.

"The longer the quiet zone, the more effective the noise reduction will be," Foegler wrote. "However, without the cooperation of other jurisdictions, staff is concerned that establishing a quiet zone only at Cosgray and Rings roads will not achieve the intended effect."

Estimates are that the required safety upgrades -- which could be barriers, medians or gates that completely block the road -- could cost as much as $300,000 per crossing. Foegler said grant money probably wouldn't be available.

Hilliard is already pursuing a quiet zone and is willing to join with Dublin and the other jurisdictions to see whether cooperation would be a benefit, said Clark Rausch, deputy city engineer.

Franklin County also is willing to participate in a study, said Gary Palatas, chief engineer for operations at the Franklin County engineer's office. He said Dublin told the county its share of the study would be about $15,000.

hzachariah@dispatch.com