San Diego's downtown tranquility was shattered as the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) forced trains to blare their horns after suspending the city’s railway Quiet Zone. Residents, who had been enjoying relative peace since 2012, were suddenly thrown into an auditory turmoil. Mayor Todd Gloria stepped forward to address the issue, apologizing for the inconvenience and committing the city to an urgent fix. "I fully recognize and apologize for the distress the Quiet Zone suspension is causing Downtown residents who live near the train tracks," Mayor Gloria said in a statement.
The disruption, a result of the city's failure to adhere to specific safety regulations, was not taken lightly by those affected. San Diegans living near the rails voiced their displeasure forcefully, hoping for a swift resolution. "This noise is continuous and excessive and loud," Stephen Fixter told KGTV, who lives above the tracks. Heather White, another downtown dweller, added to the chorus of complaints, "Hearing the horns all throughout my work day the level of frustration just rises and rises."
The Quiet Zone, which ensured silence at thirteen railroad crossings in the area, had been in place for over a decade. The city was responsible for maintaining the mandated safety measures like lights and gates that kept the train horns silent. In an inspection, however, FRA inspectors discovered issues with public crossings, traffic control devices, and incomplete paperwork, leading to the suspension of the quiet privilege.
City crews are working day and night to get the #Downtown Quiet Zone reinstated. Work on sign production and installation continued this weekend, with 72 out of 88 signs fabricated and sign installations underway at all 12 intersections. pic.twitter.com/aLI7SviM79
— City of San Diego (@CityofSanDiego) January 22, 2024
To rectify the issue, city crews were deployed posthaste to work on replacement signage and other deficient areas identified by the FRA. Mayor Gloria promised San Diegans a hard push to bring the Quiet Zone into compliance, stating, "We will work through the weekend until all of these tasks are complete." The city aims to have all traffic counts, which are a part of the quiet zone requirements, done by the end of January for the FRA's review. In the meantime, downtown residents are being compelled to withstand the noise. Despite recent train-related deaths in San Diego County, officials have said these incidents did not influence the suspension decision.
