SAN DIEGO, Calif. — For almost a year, the City of San Diego received repeated warnings from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) about potential suspension of its downtown quiet zone due to non-compliance with safety requirements. This quiet zone, crucial for noise reduction in the city’s bustling downtown area, was at risk because of unaddressed safety issues around railroad crossings.

Background and Warnings

In 2019, several safety deficiencies were identified at railroad crossings within the quiet zone. Despite numerous warnings from the FRA throughout 2023, including a direct warning to Mayor Todd Gloria in July, the necessary remedial actions were not taken by the city. The FRA’s inspector, Jacob Peterson, communicated with city traffic engineers on at least eight separate occasions, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Impact on Residents

The quiet zone’s suspension on January 17th led to trains sounding their horns for a minimum of 15 seconds at over a dozen downtown intersections, causing significant disruption to residents. Amon Neequaye, a remote tech worker living in Little Italy, described the noise as unbearable, forcing him to relocate to Pacific Beach to escape the incessant train horns. The constant noise made it nearly impossible for Neequaye to conduct work meetings or sleep, impacting his daily life and productivity.

City’s Response and Delays

Despite receiving a list of work orders in response to Peterson’s July email, the city failed to complete the necessary work within the next six months. The FRA’s decision to suspend the quiet zone triggered immediate public outcry and pressure on city officials to act. The city eventually conducted urgent maintenance, including installing new signs, painting road markings, and conducting a traffic survey.

Restoration of the Quiet Zone

After 12 days of intensive work, the quiet zone was reinstated by the FRA. Janet Rogers, a downtown resident and member of the Train Coalition at Santa Fe Depot, expressed frustration over the city’s delay in addressing the safety issues. She highlighted the simplicity of the required maintenance tasks, such as painting and signage, which the city neglected for years.

Accountability and Future Measures

The incident has raised questions about the city’s management of the quiet zone and the accountability of city staff responsible for its maintenance. Rogers and other residents are calling for more stringent oversight and regular audits to prevent a recurrence of such negligence. The ease with which the city completed the necessary upgrades once they began work underscores the preventability of the situation.

Steps Forward

To ensure the quiet zone remains in compliance, the city must implement a proactive maintenance schedule and establish a communication protocol with the FRA to promptly address any future safety concerns. Regular internal audits and timely response to federal inspections are crucial to maintaining the quiet zone and minimizing disruption to residents.

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