Soon residents in several Joliet neighborhoods may be able to get some sleep without hearing a train whistle blowing.

The city is moving forward in creating several “quiet zones” at four city locations.

The locations will be areas where Canada National Railroad Company (CN) agrees not blow their horns.

The sound of whistle blowing has escalated since CN purchased Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad Company, said Gregory Ruddy, the city’s public works administrator.

CN previously agreed to pay for establishing the quiet zones, which calls for barriers and special medians to prevent people from attempting to cross tracks as trains traveling through railroad crossings.

“A freight train going 20 to 25 miles an hours, they want the horns blaring as loud as they can to keep us from doing what we do as human to get around those gates,” said City Manager Tom Thanas.

Alderman Joseph Shetina said that he has received an increase in calls from residents complaining about train whistles.

Ruddy said that railroad conductors are required by law to blow their horns, and even with the institution of quiet zones, a driver will still blow a horn when he sees a hazard.

Quiet zones take time to establish, as barriers need to be built at each proposed crossing. The city performs the work, and is reimbursed by the railroad company, said Ruddy.

The city’s four proposed quiet zones:

Black and Theodore streets: will go into effect on June 22.

Essington and Division streets: will take effect in October.

Woodruff Street, Heritage Road, Washington Street, Mills Road, and Rowell Street: will have crossing zones installed in 2011 for quiet zones.

Caton Farm Road: after a road is built in this area that is expected to happen in 2012, this location will also become in preparation for a quiet zone.