City Continues to Make Progress on Railroad Quiet Zone Project

Construction at three more railroad crossings along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) line has been completed as part of the quiet zone project. These include Britain Road, Union Bower Road and Pioneer Drive.

The project will improve the quality of life for Irving residents and businesses near the Trinity Railway Express and the BNSF lines. In addition to eliminating train horn noise, quiet zones also provide increased safety to motorists.

The crossings were made into quiet zones through the installation of quad-gates—four gates that block the entire width of the road—or the use of a raised median to keep motorists from driving around the gates once they have closed. Additional crossings at MacArthur Boulevard, Rogers Road and Irby Lane on the Trinity Railway Express will be completed by early September. Upon completion, the standard 30-day waiting period will ensue before the quiet zone goes into effect.

A major element of the project includes the construction of a $47 million, 8,400-foot bridge to eliminate three crossings at Belt Line, Briery and Story roads. Bridge construction began in late 2007 and the area is expected to be made into a quiet zone by March 2009.

 An additional track will be added to the bridge by March 2010. The second track will run from Irby Lane through Valley View Lane, which will allow for increased commuter rail services. Extension of the second track to Valley View Lane is set to be completed by November 2010.

The $70 million quiet zone project is funded by a variety of sources, including local bond funds, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, and the state and federal governments.