Train horns will no longer routinely sound beginning Thursday
March 21, 2011
ORANGE – Residents in Tustin will have relief from train horns starting Thursday, as the city joins the list of quiet zone communities in Orange County.
“The citizens of Tustin owe former Mayor Lou Bone a debt of gratitude. It was really because of his leadership that the quiet zone in Tustin and the 50 quiet zones in Orange County are becoming a reality,” said Tustin Mayor Jerry Amante, also an Orange County Transportation Authority board member. “Tustin is ready for and welcomes more trains with fewer horns! Our friends in South Tustin, Tustin Meadows and Tustin Legacy will sleep soundly.”
New railroad crossing safety enhancements completed at the Red Hill Avenue railroad crossing in Tustin led the way for the establishment of the quiet zone, an area along the tracks where train horns are not routinely sounded.
Work on the crossing wrapped up in February, allowing the city to officially apply for quiet zone status with the Federal Railroad Administration.
OCTA is partnering with eight cities to implement the $85 million program, which includes safety enhancements at 50 railroad crossings throughout Orange County. Improvements include upgraded and updated warning devices, additional gate arms, extended and raised medians, improved signage and coordinated traffic signals.
“We are thrilled Tustin has joined Orange and parts of Anaheim in establishing a quiet zone for their residents,” said OCTA Chair Patricia Bates, also the Fifth District supervisor. “This is one of the most comprehensive rail safety programs in the nation and we are excited to continue working with the cities to complete construction at the remaining crossings.”
Once the improvements are made, cities are able to apply for quiet zone status.
By law, engineers must sound their horns up to four times when they approach a crossing. If a quiet zone is established, trains will only sound their horns if the engineer believes it necessary for safety reasons or the train is traveling through a construction zone.
Construction on all the crossings is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2011. To learn more about railroad safety improvements in your area, join the mailing list at www.octa.net/railroadcrossing.
