BNSF Railway won't start construction on a second set of tracks through Rathdrum in 2016 as planned, but has asked the city to start preparing for the project. "We initially proposed going forward (with construction) in 2016, but that's been put on hold for at least a couple years," said BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas. "We will re-evaluate at that time and, if volumes dictate the need for investment, we'll proceed. But there are a number of drivers in these decisions. "We're working with the city and have requested some prep work, but there's no official time on when the tracks will be built"/Brian Walker, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

DFO: I pity the property owners who live anywhere near the tracks on the Rathdrum Prairie. I suspect things are going to get noisier -- and the crossings a bit more jammed.

Question: Have you ever lived near railroad tracks? Do you become accustomed to the noise?