MADISON, Wis. -- Madison's mayor says he doesn't think the state railroad commissioner has the authority to over-rule the city's train whistle ban.

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said Tuesday he welcomes information that might be found in the state's investigation into 12 railroad crossings, but he's checking with the city attorney about whether the railroad commissioner, Rodney Kruenen, has authority to take any action on the ban.

Cieslewicz has had discussions with the federal railroad administration about how to make the city's intersections safer and says they're supportive of the current plan to change some of them.

Cieslewicz wants to change some intersections.

"We're converting nine intersections this year to gates and lights that we can keep the quiet zones there," he said. "We are looking at a plan to address the other 90 or so intersections in the city."

Kruenen wants to lift the whistle ban at these 12 Madison intersections. He's concerned about some recent near-misses with trains in the city.

The mayor says he's only aware of one last week, and the train whistle did blow in the incident.