After more than three years of blaring train horns every few minutes, Denverites can soon say good riddance to the incessant A Line noise keeping them up at night and annoying them during the day.
Federal regulators forced the Regional Transportation District's commuter line to honk at each of the city's crossings as a safety precaution because of the infamous crossing-gate snafu.
The Federal Railroad Administration just gave RTD permission to cease the routine horns, Mayor Michael Hancock announced at a Union Station press conference Friday.
"This A Line is huge but we have not been able to fully enjoy and appreciate it because of the regulations that quite frankly had created a very untenable situation for the people along the corridor," Hancock said.
RTD General Manager and CEO Dave Genova said thanked frustrated residents, business owners and visitors who live, work and play along the corridor.
"We are grateful for your patience to this point," Genova said.
A Line horns will still sound on occasion -- for emergencies, for instance. And the dinging bells as crossing gates come down will remain. But the steady cadence of loud warning signals will cease in three weeks.
