Railway Quiet Zone in effect through Encinitas town of Cardiff

An Amtrak Surfliner passes through the new Quiet Zone crossing at Chesterfield Drive in Cardiff on Wednesday morning, May 1. (Encinitas city photo)

North Coast Current
May 1, 2019

Local civic and transportation officials marked the launch of a railway Quiet Zone in Cardiff on Wednesday, May 1.

The zone, which went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, April 28, runs along a half-mile stretch of rail north and south from the Chesterfield Drive intersection at San Elijo Avenue. The zone was established as part of the ongoing North Coast Corridor transportation project.

The goal of the zone is to reduce noise from train horns through area, officials said.

“This Quiet Zone was established under federal rules so that train engineers are no longer required to sound their horn at this intersection,” Tony Kranz, Encinitas councilman and North County Transit District chairman, said in a city announcement as part of Wednesday’s kickoff event. “It should be noted that the rail engineer may still blow the train horn for any safety concerns he or she may have.”

Dignitaries gathered at the Chesterfield Avenue intersection at 10 a.m. Wednesday for a ceremony announcing the Quit Zone’s implementation.

The Quiet Zone was initiated as part of a $6 million crossing upgrade at Chesterfield and San Elijo, according to local officials. The budget, set by the San Diego Association of Governments, was supplemented by $770,000 in city funds to install improved safety measures such as crossing gates and lights. Work on the crossing was completed in January.

In addition to the San Diego Association of Governments and North County Transit District, planners also worked with Caltrans, the Federal Railroad Administration and the California Public Utilities Commission for funding and development, according to the city’s announcement.

The updated intersection includes a separated multiuse bike and pedestrian path, ADA-accessible sidewalks and ramps, and traffic signals and rail crossing safety features for motorists and pedestrians.

“We are really excited to announce this long-awaited Quiet Zone,” Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear said in the city’s announcement. “This will make a big impact on keeping our rail corridor quiet. We know how important it is for us to create safe and quiet neighborhoods in Encinitas, especially in this popular area, so that residents can enjoy a more peaceful quality of life.”