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New Brunswick

No more train whistles at two city crossings in Saint John

The blaring of train whistles will no longer jar residents who live near railway crossings at Rothesay Avenue and Thorne Avenue. Starting on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 12:01 a.m., train engineers will no longer sound the engine whistle, except in case of emergency.

A city council motion passed in August, banning the whistles, comes into effect

Train whistles will no longer be sounded at two east side saint John railway crossings. (CBC)
Traffic at this crossing on Rothesay Avenue, and a crossing on Thorne Avenue, has increased dramatically since a new crude oil rail terminal opened near the Irving Oil refinery in 2012. (Matthew Bingley/CBC)
The blaring oftrain whistles will no longer jar residents who live near railway crossingsat Rothesay Avenue and ThorneAvenue.

Starting onSaturday, Oct.24 at 12:01 a.m.,train engineers will no longersound the engine whistle, except in case of emergency.

Train whistles will no longer sound at the Thorne Avenue railway crossing. (Matthew Bingley/CBC)
Traffic on the two crossings has increased dramatically since a new crude oil rail terminal opened near the Irving Oil refinery in 2012.

"It has contributed to a lot of sleepless nights," said local residentSean Flynn

Speaking to CBC News back in August,Flynn said he waslosing patience.

"I feel like I'm in the seventh circle of hell," said Flynn.

City councillor GerryLowe lobbied hard to get the whistles banned. He told CBC News the trainssound their horns three times before crossing each of the roads, which are just a block apart.

Gates, lights, and warning bells will continue to operate at the crossings,andsignagewill be installed.