The group realizes when the Valley View project is complete there will no longer be a need for train whistle, and that will be eliminated, however, that is not the noise they are concerned about.

“We understand they have decided to run Valley View under the train tracks and we have to live with that,” said Jenkins, “But, we are concerned about the constant rumbling of trains, which has nothing to do with the Valley View intersection. It is the overall noise of freight after freight that will come with this triple track the State approved.”

Jenkins is referring to the fact that the Valley View grade separation is actually part of a $163 million track expansion known as the Triple Track Project. Soon, a third mainline track will be laid next the existing two, for a 15-mile stretch, from the City of Commerce to the City of Fullerton. The Pico Rivera segment has already begun.

Officials say the primary objective of the third track is to improve intercity freight and passenger rail efficiency, service, and safety by reducing conflicts between vehicles, pedestrians and trains.

BNSF rail traffic has increased over the years, and will continue to increase. Combined, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are currently handling about 10% more cargo containers than a year ago-much of it attributed to a strong growth in imports.

Additionally, BNSF shares the main Los Angeles to San Diego lines-the ones that run through La Mirada-with Amtrak and Metrolink commuter services as well.

To the La Mirada group this means more noise and more trains, and they would like a sound wall installed along Stage Road, from approximately Castellon Road to the Figueras Road/La Mirada Creek area where the railroad begins its descent under Alondra Boulevard.

This issue is nothing new for the area. Many groups regarding this issue have formed over the years and then dissipate.

A sound wall is currently not a part of the Valley View project mainly because it is considered an aesthetic improvement by Caltrans for which they will not pay for, said La Mirada City Manager Tom Robinson.

The issue has put the city in an awkward position, “The original developer did not provide a sound wall, and neither did the railroad, so it falls on the city”, said Robinson.

Robinson indicated this is probably not the best time to consider new projects, with the city currently suffering financial strife, including recently approving placing a tax measure on a La Mirada ballot for the first time in the city’s history, for this November.

But, he said, the city would be more than happy to open formal discussions with the group about a sound wall.

La Mirada Public Works Director told the La Mirada Blog a third mainline track might actually mean less railway traffic, or at least more evenly spaced out, “It’s like opening an additional lane of a freeway,” he said.

The La Mirada Blog unearthed a Draft EIR about the Triple Track Project and its sub-projects from the State California Department of Transportation that was dated April 13, 2003 for the public’s approval. Records show a public meeting for public comment was scheduled to take place at the La Mirada Activity Center on May 7, 2003 regarding the Triple Track Project. We have been unable to get further information, at this time, including if that meeting took place, or information about a Final EIR, which was supposed to be issued after the public comment periods.

To obtain more information about the train sound wall advocacy group you may call (714) 521-1539.

Trains have always been associated with La Mirada, with the tracks being laid long before city incorporation, and actually helped put the city on the maps. A train station and processing/packing plant was built in the early 1900’s necessitated by La Mirada founder Andrew McNally’s expansive, olive and citrus groves, with crops being delivered all around the country via rail.

At the time, La Mirada olive oil was considered some of the finest in the world. The old La Mirada train station was demolished, controversially, in 1960.

Today, the site serves as a city storage yard, but there is a plaque along Stage Road and the large Canary Island Palm trees that adorned the station still remain at the site, and at adjacent Neff Park, today.