For more than five years, residents of our neighborhood have experienced repeated disruptions from trains stopping and remaining near our homes for extended periods—often throughout the night and into the early morning hours.

This is not an occasional inconvenience. It has become a regular part of life for the families living here.

The prolonged presence of idling trains and associated noise significantly disrupts the peace and quiet of our neighborhood. Our street is home to many families with young children, and the overnight noise can make it difficult for families to maintain normal sleep schedules.

The constant noise from the trains is more than just a nuisance; it is a health risk. The World Health Organization has recognized prolonged exposure to noise as a significant stressor that contributes to sleep disturbance, cardiovascular issues, and impaired cognitive performance in children. For families with young kids in our area, this means a disruptive environment that could hamper their growth and learning.

Moreover, the idling trains release diesel exhaust, which contains hazardous pollutants known to cause respiratory problems and exacerbate conditions like asthma. The American Lung Association has repeatedly highlighted the dangers of fine particulate matter, and diesel trains are a key contributor. Our neighborhood air is compromised, and prolonged exposure can have long-term health implications for every resident.

We understand that rail operations are essential and that trains must occasionally stop as part of normal railroad operations. We are not asking for rail service to cease, nor are we seeking to interfere with the important work of the railroad.

However, we believe there should be a reasonable effort to minimize the unnecessary impact of prolonged overnight train stops near residential homes.

This issue has persisted since we began living in this neighborhood more than five years ago. Residents have repeatedly experienced trains sitting near our homes for extended periods, despite there being open, undeveloped areas only a few hundred feet away from the neighborhood.

We are simply asking that the families who live here be considered.

We respectfully ask BNSF Railway and the appropriate local and state officials to:

• Investigate the repeated and prolonged stopping of trains near our residential neighborhood.
• Evaluate whether operational changes could reduce the amount of time trains remain near homes, particularly during overnight hours.
• Explore whether trains can safely stop or wait in nearby areas farther away from residential properties when operationally feasible.
• Communicate with affected residents regarding the cause of these repeated overnight stops and any potential solutions.

Our community is not asking for special treatment. We are simply asking for our concerns to be heard and for reasonable solutions to be considered. We believe it is time for this issue to receive serious attention.

Please join us in asking BNSF Railway and local officials to work with our community to find a reasonable solution that allows necessary rail operations to continue while reducing the impact on the families who live nearby.

Sign this petition and help us advocate for a quieter, healthier, and more peaceful neighborhood.