A notice for Jefferson residents that a Union Pacific Railroad crossing at Pinet Street will be permanently closed starting at the end of this week.

City Administrator Mike Palmer previously told Raccoon Valley Radio that the City Council entered an agreement in April with UP to close the railroad crossing at Pinet Street as a way to begin the process to establish a quiet zone.

He explained a quiet zone is when a train comes through the City, the horn isn’t activated at every traffic crossing.  Currently, Jefferson has five at-grade crossings including Pinet.

Starting Friday, September 5th, City crews will be installing permanent barricades at that railroad crossing and UP crews will be taking out the crossing itself and all the signals as well.

Palmer points out that UP will pay $16,500 for every crossing to be permanently closed and the Iowa Department of Transportation will also pay $7,500.  He is hoping to use any leftover funds after purchasing and installing the barricades to put toward all the other crossings.

The other crossings that will be considered for closure are Maple, Wilson, Grimmel and Cedar streets.

Anyone with questions can call City Hall at 386-3111.