RAILROAD QUIET ZONE STUDY

Project Description

This planning effort reviewed the city’s five at-grade railroad crossings (Fryelands Boulevard, 179th Avenue SE, Kelsey Street, Lewis Street and Main Street) for the potential to establish a Quiet Zone within the city limits. A Quiet Zone essentially means that train operators will not sound their horn in the established area unless they have a compelling reason to do so (safety issue). The study began in February 2020 when the City hired PH Consulting Inc, which is an engineering firm that specializes in rail crossings. Their work element included (1) reviewing the existing conditions at the crossings, (2) proposing improvement concepts at these crossings, (3) coordination with invested partners (Federal Railway Administration, Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission, WSDOT, Amtrak, BNSF), and (4) prepare a final feasibility study summarizing those efforts.

The final report can be found at this link Quiet Zone Feasibility

Project Manager

  1. Scott Peterson

    City Engineer
    Email
    Phone: (360) 863-4606

Project Activity

The City actively seeks federal and state funding (grants) to fund a significant portion of the cost to do railroad crossing improvements. Currently, the City is working on the design for improving the Kelsey Street at-grade rail crossing location. The anticipated construction timeline is for fall 2025. Most of the improvements will be to BNSF's signal system, with some minor roadwork to include pedestrian sidewalk improvements across the tracks and security fencing. This is where the project is located (Kelsey Street Crossing).

Kelsey Street Rail Crossing

Kelsey Concept Design

Other crossing locations (Fryelands Boulevard, 179th Avenue SE, Lewis Street and Main Street) currently do not have funding.