Railroad Quiet Zones to Go Live on August 16

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rules specify that trains must sound a locomotive horn while approaching and entering public crossings; however, an exception was created when approved measures have been taken to ensure that safety at the crossing is maintained.  Local governments were granted the authority to create Quiet Zones, in which train horns are not routinely sounded at grade crossings, as long as the local government paid the full cost of establishing the Zones. 

The City of Arvada has constructed three Quiet Zones along the Union Pacific tracks at the intersections of Pierce Street, Kipling Street, and W. 72nd Avenue.  A fourth Quiet Zone is pending at the Simms Street crossing.  Modifications including the construction of short medians on either side of the tracks, along with curb and gutter work, meet FRA rules and eliminate the routine sounding of locomotive horns at these intersections.  FRA rules require a 21-day notification period before train horns are silenced.   It is anticipated that the Quiet Zones will be implemented on August 16.