photo by Eric P.

Not holding my breath here but appreciate the effort.

From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, today introduced a bill to require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit recommendations to Congress on how to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes, as well as cost estimates for each recommendation.

“D.C. residents are increasingly contacting me about the negative impact train noise and vibrations are having on their health, quality of life, and even the structural integrity of their homes,” Norton said. “Although trains provide an essential mode of transportation, Congress should examine whether there are viable, cost-effective ways to mitigate the harms caused by long-term train noise and vibrations.”

Train noise and vibrations negatively affect residents of the District of Columbia and communities across the country. In making its recommendations, the bill would require GAO to consider train speed and frequency, hours of operations, modifications to tracks and trains, track maintenance, mitigation measures between tracks and homes, and distance between tracks and homes, among other factors. The bill would require GAO to submit its recommendations to Congress not later than one year after enactment.

Norton’s introductory statement follows. (more…)