Today, the City of San Diego received confirmation from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that the Quiet Zone in Downtown will be reinstated, following work by City of San Diego crews to bring 12 intersections into compliance with federal standards for railway crossings.

According to a letter received by the City, the FRA determined that the Quiet Zone is in full compliance and trains will stop routinely sounding their horns. Transit agencies have seven days to comply with the Quiet Zone reinstatement. North County Transit District has already suspended use of horns.

”The City’s Transportation Department expedited all of the required sign installations and striping to achieve restoration of the Quiet Zone faster than anticipated,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “I am grateful to the City crews for getting this work done quickly and to Federal Railroad Administration staff for working with the City to resolve this issue.”

 On Friday, Jan. 26, the City submitted documentation to show improvements completed and to request the reinstatement of the Quiet Zone. Without the designation, trains have been required to sound their horns when approaching highway-rail grade crossings through Downtown.

The FRA suspended the Quiet Zone on Friday, Jan. 19, following an inspection that found deficiencies. Since then, in addition to responding to the impacts of last week’s storm, teams from the City’s Transportation Department have worked to create and install more than 120 railroad crossing signs and new road markings at the Laurel Street, Grape Street, Cedar Street, Beech Street, Ash Street, Broadway, Kettner Boulevard, G Street, Hawthorn Street, Market Street, Front Street, First Avenue and Fifth Avenue crossings.

The City also completed the required traffic survey, or Average Daily Trip Count, to determine the number of vehicles entering the crossings daily.

In an established Quiet Zone, train horns may still be used in emergency situations or to comply with other federal regulations or railroad operating rules. The City is in close communication with the FRA and will continue to monitor safety improvements at intersections to ensure compliance for the future.