A Quieter Missoula is a Healthier,
More Welcoming Missoula

For residents, business owners, and visitors throughout downtown Missoula, Greenough Park, the lower Rattlesnake, the historic Eastside neighborhood, and East Broadway, the frequent train horn noise has become more than just a nuisance — it’s a disruption to daily life and downtown vibrancy. Horns blast for extended periods, day and night, reaching over a half-mile into surrounding neighborhoods.

Triple Tree Engineering’s 2021 study documented train horn noise at the Greenough crossing in excess of a deafening 80 decibels for nearly 100 homes and multiple businesses. This eclipses the World Health Organization’s recommended nighttime maximum of 40–55 decibels.

This ongoing horn noise affects quality of life, property values, neighborhood appeal, and the guest experience in nearby hotels. The ongoing and unnecessary noise affects the health, comfort, and well-being of thousands of Missoulians — and leaves a negative impression on those visiting our city, impacting Missoula’s reputation. as a welcoming destination.

The Automated Horn System (AHS) offers a proven, community-friendly solution to Missoula’s ongoing train horn noise. Instead of the traditional locomotive-mounted horn that echoes for more than half a mile, the directional AHS is installed directly at the rail crossing, targeting sound toward motorists and pedestrians where it’s needed most. This technology maintains full safety compliance while dramatically reducing noise pollution for nearby homes, businesses, and hotels — helping residents rest easier, supporting a more vibrant downtown, and preserving Missoula’s reputation as a welcoming place to live, work, and visit.

Two crossings are proposed for horn installation: the Greenough Crossing (leading into the Rattlesnake) and the Taylor Street Crossing (located behind GW Petroleum).