Without some mitigating measures, the railyard will have a powerfully detrimental effect on adjacent established residential areas in Austell and Powder Springs. Thanks to the protracted challenge of the county and other jurisdictions, Norfolk Southern has agreed to take steps to lighten the railyard's impact. It will insulate homes in the Clarkdale neighborhood against noise. It will erect sound-barrier fences in Powder Springs. And it will pay to build a bridge in downtown Powder Springs, thereby keeping crosstown access from being blocked by idling freight trains.
Modern railyards are a big plus for America.
They enable shippers to move massive quantities of manufactured goods in containers for long distances by rail and offload them on trucks for short hauls. Understandably, however, very few homeowners are eager to have a railyard situated next-door. Congress made it hard for local authorities to stand up for affected constituents with 1995 legislation that essentially proofed railroads and their facilities against zoning regulations. But this shield doesn't protect against legal actions alleging health or public safety hazards.