MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) – City officials in Muncie are moving ahead with plans for creating a downtown quiet zone by closing or upgrading several railroad crossings in order to reduce thousands of daily train whistles.

Mayor Dennis Tyler says $5 million is earmarked toward the project and that cost estimates are expected soon from railroad companies.

The Star Press reports (http://tspne.ws/1wtW10X ) the city's board of works on Wednesday approved an agreement with a city consulting firm to survey several railroad crossings through the city. That survey will look for changes that will be needed to utilities, driveways and buildings. 

The city's plan includes closing several streets where they intersect with railroad tracks. Tyler says the quiet zone work could be completed by spring.