Quiet Zone Temporary Suspension
On Sept. 30, 2024, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) temporarily suspended the Woods Cross and Lehi Quiet Zones due to non-compliant train crossings within the zones. As of Jan. 3, all crossings within the Lehi Quiet Zone are compliant and the quiet zone has been reinstated.
Train horns will continue to sound at crossings in the Woods Cross Quiet Zone until all at-grade crossings meet federal regulations and it can be restored. The Woods Cross Quiet Zone runs through Salt Lake City’s northwest neighborhoods and industrial areas, then northwards into the southern part of Davis County.
The cities are actively working to resolve these issues as quickly as possible. This page will be updated regularly during the suspension.
The Latest
Woods Cross Quiet Zone Petition
Salt Lake City and North Salt Lake have petitioned the FRA to reinstate the Woods Cross Quiet Zone with the good faith that both cities are taking the preparatory permitting, engineering, and construction steps required to make the needed safety improvements at the two crossings.
Interested parties may submit written experiences, data, and views regarding the Woods Cross Quiet Zone until Monday, March 17, at 11:59 p.m.
To comment, click on the blue “comment” box in the lower right corner of the notice box. (sample below)
After the public comment period ends, the FRA safety board will discuss the reinstatement of the Quiet Zone and the next steps to address the safety improvements.
What is a Quiet Zone?
A Quiet Zone is a section of a railroad line where train horns are not regularly sounded at crossings. However, train horns can still be used in emergencies or to comply with other Federal regulations or railroad operating rules. For a quiet zone to remain in effect, all crossings within the zone must meet specific safety requirements, such as flashing lights and gates. Since train horns sound to reduce the risk of collisions, these requirements are crucial to ensure the same level of safety is maintained in the absence of a horn.
What are the Woods Cross and Lehi Quiet Zones?
In 2008, the cities from Ogden to Salt Lake City and UTA established the “Woods Cross Quiet Zone” through the FRA. In 2012, the FRA and cities and counties along the FrontRunner line (SLC to Provo) established the “Lehi Quiet Zone.” Each agency with a street crossing the tracks is responsible for keeping the crossing compliant with the Quiet Zone regulations.
When will the Quiet Zones be reinstated?
The FRA will not reinstate the Quiet Zones until 100% of the crossings comply with Federal regulations or receive authorized waivers. The FRA can take 2-3 months to review a waiver request and decide whether to approve or deny the application.
The cities are working on solutions to bring the crossings to compliance as soon as possible.
Resources
- To learn more about Quiet Zones, please visit tinyurl.com/FRAQZ.
- Notify Union Pacific of non-emergency incidents or complaints at UP.com/NotifyUP. To report an emergency incident, call 888-870-8777 immediately.
- For questions or concerns related to UTA services, please visit rideuta.com/Rider-Info/Customer-Service.
- To receive email updates about the suspension, please visit tinyurl.com/SLCCouncilEmails and sign up for the “Transportation” topic.
Previous Updates
Woods Cross Quiet Zone Update
On Tuesday, Dec. 3, the Council adopted an ordinance allowing the temporary closure of a segment of 1000 West between South Temple and 15 South. This closure will enable the City to make safety improvements to the crossing so the Woods Cross Quiet Zone can be restored.
Lehi Quiet Zone Update
On Jan. 3, 2025, Lehi City received notice that all crossings in the Lehi Quiet Zone are now compliant and the quiet zone has been reinstated. This includes crossings at 800 South, 900 South, and 1700 South in Salt Lake City.
For more information, please view this post.
Tags: Transit