WOODS CROSS QUIET ZONE
Woods Cross City Statements on the Railroad Quiet Zone
Updated October 25, 2024:
On Thursday, October 24th, Woods Cross representatives held a virtual meeting with North Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, and Utah Transit Authority representatives to discuss the status of projects in the Woods Cross Quiet Zone and efforts with the FRA to remove the temporary suspension.
Only Two Deficiencies Remain: The North Salt Lake Main Street and Salt Lake City 1000 West crossings are the last two deficiencies remaining (see Oct. 8 item c). The FRA inspectors have confirmed that as of Tuesday, Oct. 22nd, all other crossings in the Quiet Zone are in compliance.
What are North Salt Lake and Salt Lake City doing? Both cities immediately began efforts to make the corrections at each crossing as soon as they were notified. Because the work includes moving or installing arms, signals, equipment; and requires close coordination and approval with Union Pacific and other agencies, this work may take months to complete. Both cities have committed the money and manpower to complete the work they are responsible for and are asking for the cooperation and expedited services from others who are involved in the process. In the meantime, temporary safety measures will be implemented to request a prompt reinstatement of the Quiet Zone.
Can something be done to stop the train horns now? During the October 8th meeting with the FRA, the cities asked if alternative safety measures can be implemented immediately to reinstate the Quiet Zone (see Oct. 8 c-e below). North Salt Lake and Salt Lake City are preparing proposals to submit to the FRA in the form of a “waiver” and we have requested a meeting with the FRA next week to evaluate these proposals informally so that we feel confident that they can be approved at the next FRA waiver meeting (TBD).
Who can we call or email to voice our concerns? All of the cities and agencies involved are well aware of the frustration and lack of sleep that this is causing and are working as quickly as possible to obtain FRA approval to reinstate the quiet zone on every level. Many people with political and administrative influence are already assisting to explore all options and expedite the work. We ask for your patience as we push forward. Alienating or estranging those that we are working with to resolve these issues will not benefit the progress. As we provide a variety of options to ensure safety at each railroad crossing, we remain optimistic that progress will be made.