WOODS CROSS QUIET ZONE
Federal Railroad Administration Waiver Approval for FRA-2024-0124 in the Woods Cross Quiet Zone The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) granted approval today of the joint waiver application (FRA-2024-0124) for the North Salt Lake Main Street and Salt Lake City 1000 W railroad crossings. In summary, the waiver is approved with the conditions that the cities: “1. Work to bring the crossings into compliance with 49 CFR Part 222 must begin as soon as practicable. 2. Crossing No. 805836V [1000 W in Salt Lake City] must be closed and protected by Approved Supplementary Safety Measure A.5 as outlined in 49 CFR Part 222, Appendix A (Permanent Closure of a Public Highway-Rail Grade Crossing) until both crossings subject to this relief are brought into compliance with 49 CFR Part 222.” The requirements of #2 include: a. The closure system must completely block highway traffic from entering the grade crossing. b. Barricades and signs used for closure of the roadway shall conform to the standards contained in the MUTCD. c. The closure system must be tamper and vandal resistant to the same extent as other traffic control devices. d. Since traffic will be redistributed among adjacent crossings, the traffic counts for adjacent crossings shall be increased to reflect the diversion of traffic from the closed crossing. The FRA indicated that they will send the railroads the directive immediately to stop sounding the train horns with the understanding that Salt Lake City is working quickly to close 1000 West at the crossing. The railroads typically have seven days to comply with the FRA directive. Union Pacific has indicated that they have raised the priority and shortened the construction schedules for both projects. We appreciate the concerted efforts of all parties to work towards an amicable solution that quiets the train horns immediately while these remaining two crossings are brought into compliance. We also want to acknowledge the support and influence of our members of Congress, state and local leaders, legislators, and agencies throughout Utah that have supported the efforts to overcome this challenge.
Issued: 3.18.25 at 5:00 p.m.