SAN DIEGO — The Little Italy and Downtown areas of San Diego have grappled with multiple days and nights of loud, excessive train horn noise caused by a federal suspension of the neighborhood’s Quiet Zone.
But there could be some relief for residents coming this weekend. The North County Transit District has suspended Coaster service from Oceanside to Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego on Saturday and Sunday.
The North County Transit District announced a planned service suspension earlier this week to perform routine maintenance and rail infrastructure work.
The service suspension means Coasters won’t travel through Little Italy and Downtown railroad crossings with their horns blaring during the weekend. However, no changes are planned for Amtrak or freight trains traveling through the area.
MTS announced on Friday that trolleys would join the other trains and begin sounding their horns in compliance with federal rules.
On Friday, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria addressed the frustration and disruption caused by the Federal Railroad Administration suspending the Quiet Zone between Laurel Street and Fifth Avenue.
“I fully recognize and apologize for the distress the Quiet Zone suspension is causing Downtown residents who live near the train tracks,” Gloria said. “The City is working with urgency to correct deficiencies and bring the Quiet Zone into compliance.
Gloria said City of San Diego crews were working on Friday to complete the mandated fixes to railroad crossings in Little Italy and Downtown San Diego.
The Mayor’s office said crews are replacing signage, pavement markings and flex posts deemed deficient by the Federal Railroad Administration.
“We will work through the weekend until all of these tasks are complete. Remaining traffic counts that are required in order to have the suspension lifted will be completed by the end of January to submit for the FRA’s evaluation,” Gloria said.
The exact timeline surrounding the lifting of the Quiet Zone suspension is still unknown as the City of San Diego works to quickly bring the railroad tracks and crossings into compliance.
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