Railroad quiet zone delayed

Trains going through Maricopa will continue to blow their horns, at least for a while, because the quiet zone implementation by the city has been delayed, according to information from the city.

Trains are required by federal regulation to blow their horn with two long blasts, one short blast and then one long blast at crossings to warn motorists and pedestrians they are coming.

Maricopa, like many train stops across the country, has been working to implement a quiet zone.

However, the proposed zone did not meet final inspection.

The city is working to address each of the issues cited by the Federal Railroad Association and the Union Pacific Railroad.

The Federal Railroad Association said crossing inventories need to be updated, but the city said it has submitted these and is waiting on the association to finalize them.

The city also was asked for proof of delegation from the Arizona Department of Transportation, which according to ADOT spokesman Dustin Krugel, is necessary when a public grade crossing is under the authority of multiple agencies.

In this case, the formal letter from ADOT says the agency agrees with the city that a quiet zone is necessary. The city said it has a letter to that effect.

Additional signage at Cowtown Road that is needed already has been ordered by the public works department.

Finally, the medians at State Route 347 could be too short.

The city is working with all of the interested agencies to get the quiet zone implemented but does not know when that date will be, according to a press release.