March 20, 2025

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The Federal Rail Administration (FRA) approved a waiver request that allows the Quiet Zone administered by Woods Cross to be reinstated, silencing the train horns at dozens of at-grade rail crossings across the Wasatch Front. 

North Salt Lake and Salt Lake City received formal notice on March 18 after the FRA’s Safety Board reviewed a joint petition submitted by both cites, which included public comments. Close to 200 comments were submitted to the Board citing the negative impacts of train horn noise near all the crossings along the Quiet Zone. All expressed unequivocal support for the reinstatement of the Quiet Zone. 

“We are grateful for our team that has kept this reinstatement a priority over the last few months and the public participation and collaboration with public and elected officials,” said Mark Stephens, Salt Lake City Engineer. “From the local to the federal levels, they were crucial to accomplish this.” 

Trains have seven days from the receipt of the formal notice to comply and begin silencing their horns per the Quiet Zone provisions.  

The requested waiver will temporarily reinstate the Quiet Zone administered by Woods Cross for one year. 

The full reinstatement of the Quiet Zone is contingent on bringing two at-grade crossings into compliance with the FRA’s safety measures. One crossing is at 1000 West between South Temple and 15 South, and the other is on Main Street in North Salt Lake.  

On Dec. 3, 2024, the Salt Lake City Council adopted an ordinance allowing the temporary closure of this segment of 1000 West. The street closure is scheduled to begin on March 27. Construction of the new signal mast and gate arms required to bring this rail crossing into Quiet Zone compliance will begin in the fall of 2025. Residents and businesses should plan to detour around this closure while it is in place.   

While the gate installation project is expected to be completed well within the one-year period, the City of North Salt Lake and Salt Lake City can petition the FRA to extend the waiver should any unforeseen issues arise.