Quiet Zone Update
We’re pleased to announce that the quiet zone is now reinstated! The Federal Rail Association (FRA) has completed inspections and confirmed that all crossings, including 1700 S in Salt Lake City, are compliant.
Final steps:
- FRA will be officially notifying rail users to update their systems and crews to discontinuing blowing their horns within 7 days.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Background on the Quiet Zone Situation
In October, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) conducted an inspection of all at-grade railroad crossings between Salt Lake City and Provo, including those within Lehi City. During the inspection, minor deficiencies were identified at several crossings, primarily involving medians that were just shy of the new FRA standards. These medians were originally installed to prevent vehicles from driving around gate arms when they are lowered to signal an approaching train.
While these deficiencies posed no immediate safety risk, they did prevent the restoration of the quiet zone, which was originally established in 2012. This agreement, made between the FRA and the cities and counties along the FrontRunner line, allowed trains to pass through without sounding their horns at specific crossings, provided safety measures were in place.
The FRA updated its standards for medians, no longer counting the length of the plowable end toward the total length. This change meant that some medians that were once compliant no longer met the new guidelines, resulting in the suspension of the quiet zone.
All railroad crossings within the Quiet Zone (From Provo to Salt Lake City) must be inspected and meet FRA safety standards, with improvements completed as necessary, before the Quiet Zone can be reinstated. In Lehi City, three medians were identified as non-compliant. These medians needed modifications, including raising two of them to allow the gate arms to function properly and extending one by six feet to meet the updated FRA standards.
After several months of hard work, all deficiencies have been addressed and inspected, and we are now just waiting on Salt Lake City to finalize the necessary adjustments at 1700 S. Once these adjustments are completed, the quiet zone will be fully reinstated, and the train horns will no longer be heard at these crossings.
We appreciate your understanding and patience!
