Stouffville stopping GO trains from using whistles

Yorkregion.com
March 10, 2016
By Ali Raza

The snooze button’s been hit on the loud, shrieking train whistle in south Stouffville that has served as an unwelcome alarm clock for irritated residents.

The whistle won’t deliver any more rude awakenings as a solution to cease the noise is in the works. The town is acquiring necessary approvals from Metrolinx, the transportation agency for the Greater Toronto Area, to end the train whistles at crossings on Hoover Park Drive and Reeves Way Boulevard.

“Residents of south Stouffville will soon be able to rest easy and be assured they will not be woken up by loud train whistles,” said Mayor Justin Altmann.

“We’ve worked hard with Metrolinx to make these improvements,” Altmann added.

Metrolinx’s GO Transit runs six southbound and six northbound trains weekdays between its Lincolnville Station, just north of Stouffville, and Toronto’s Union Station.

The town recently passed a bylaw prohibiting the blowing of train whistles at these crossings and ensured the completion of several safety improvements on the line.

Currently, Metrolinx is conducting a safety audit inspection for the two crossings.

The town expects their report by the end of April.

Once finalized, town staff will report to council with any further requirements.