Trains to Stop Blowing Their Horns Through Town

Residents in San Juan Capistrano will have relief from train horns starting Monday as the city joins the list of quiet zone communities in Orange County.

New railroad crossing safety enhancements were completed at five railroad crossings in San Juan Capistrano in 2012 as part of the Orange County Transportation Authority’s rail safety enhancement program. The improvements led the way for the establishment of the quiet zone, an area along the tracks where train horns are not routinely sounded.

“Silence is golden. Not only are the rail crossings the safest they have ever been, but no more horns to disturb our citizens. I'm very much looking forward to it,” said Mayor John Taylor. “Thank you to everyone from City Staff to our City Council and many others for their hard work and dedication to making this a reality for us all.” 

OCTA partnered with eight cities to implement the $85 million program, which made safety enhancements at 52 railroad crossings throughout Orange County. Improvements included upgraded and updated warning devices, additional gate arms, extended and raised medians, improved signage and coordinated traffic signals.

“This rail safety program was one of the most comprehensive programs in the nation and resulted in improved quality of life for residents throughout the county,” said OCTA Chairman Greg Winterbottom. “San Juan Capistrano is the eighth and final city along the rail line in Orange County to establish a quiet zone and we are thrilled residents and visitors will now enjoy the historic nature of the city without the constant sounding of train horns.”

Once the improvements were made, cities were able to officially apply for quiet zone status with the Federal Railroad Administration. 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 is necessary for safety reasons or the train is traveling through a construction zone.

Quiet zones have now been established for 43 crossings throughout the county in the cities of Anaheim, Orange, Dana Point, Irvine, Tustin, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Santa Ana.

Construction on all the crossings was completed in January 2012. The program was funded through Measure M2, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in Orange County. To learn more about the railroad safety enhancement program, visit www.octa.net/railroadcrossing.

— From an Orange County Transportation Authority press release.