Residents in cities from Salt Lake City to Provo have endured increased disturbances from train horns since October 2024, resulting from safety compliance demands by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Despite cities' endeavors to rectify safety issues, reports indicated that the FRA mandates remain in effect, prolonging the noise until compliance is achieved, likely not until November.
The railway quiet zone that stretches from Salt Lake City to Provo has been operational since 2012, thanks to a cooperative agreement among several cities.
Under this agreement, each city agreed to uphold safety measures, while Lehi was appointed as the main point of contact for these municipalities. The purpose of the quiet zone was to curb train noise and enhance the safety of railroad crossings by ensuring crossings met specified safety standards.
For nearly a decade, from the establishment of the quiet zone in 2012, no formal inspections were conducted by the FRA. This changed in 2021 when the agency carried out a partial inspection that identified several areas of concern.
The full implications of these concerns did not unfold until April 2024, when the FRA pinpointed specific crossings that were not in compliance with federal standards.
In the months following this discovery, from April to August 2024, affected cities worked diligently on plans and schedules to bring their crossings up to standard. However, progress was slow, prompting the FRA to demand a comprehensive 30-day remediation plan by August 2024 to address the outstanding issues.
On September 18, 2024, a consolidated action plan was submitted to the FRA. The plan aimed to tackle the compliance problems with urgency.
In the meantime, the FRA issued a directive that required all trains to sound their horns at crossings until full compliance was reached. This mandate went into effect on October 7, 2024, leading to widespread noise complaints from local residents.
Just two days later, another FRA inspection took place on October 9, 2024, exposing further non-compliant issues. These findings intensified the need for repairs, sparking a concerted effort led by Lehi Traffic Engineer Luke Seegmiller and officials from other cities.
One of the critical areas scrutinized by the FRA is the adherence to strict standards for roadway medians at the crossings. Each city is accountable for maintaining safety features within its jurisdiction, excluding the rail-owned right of way. This includes maintaining raised medians, pavement markings, and appropriate signage.
The rigorous FRA standards, particularly concerning medians, have been labeled as excessive by some Lehi officials. They argue that such measures may be an overreaction, given the decade-long period without incidents or comprehensive inspections.
Despite these frustrations, the mandated standards remain in place, and the task for cities is to complete necessary repairs. There is a strong hope that these can be concluded by October 25. However, given the additional compliance issues identified in October, it is anticipated that it might not be until November before residents see an end to the noise disturbances.
The overarching goal is to secure the safety and quietude that were the driving forces behind the original interlocal agreement. As efforts continue, stakeholders are determined to restore the quiet zone to its intended purpose.
