FOLLOWUP: Here’s where the ‘Quiet Zone’ project stands, four months in

| Port of Seattle | Transportation | West Seattle news

Thanks to Don Brubeck for that photo from the low bridge showing progress on part of the Terminal 5 Quiet Zone project. As previously reported, it’s a group of crossing changes meant to reduce the need for horn-blowing by trains serving the newly modernized T-5.

(Here’s an official explanation of “quiet zones.”) Don’s photo led us to check in with SDOT on project progress – here’s our questions and their answers:

What’s been completed so far?

Since beginning construction in July 2023, we have installed electrical and signal conduit, drainage and paving to support the future signalized intersection at W Marginal Way SW and Elder Bernice White Place. We have also paved a section of the access road north of the W Marginal Way SW and Elder Bernice White Place intersection. We closed Chelan Ave SW, the north leg of the former 5-way intersection to vehicular access.

What’s next?

We’re currently working on storm water work, including the installation of a storm water filter vault and moving catch basins to meet new curb alignment, and excavating trenches for signal and fiber conduit near the Chelan Ave SW/W Marginal Way SW intersection. We’re also working on the new signal at W Marginal Way SW and Elder Bernice White Place. We’ll also be working with railroad crews to install the new railroad crossing at Elder Bernice White Place.

What’s the latest projection for completion?

Completion is expected in May 2024 pending railroad crews’ installation of new crossing arms and safety equipment at railroad crossings at both Chelan Ave SW and Elder Bernice White Place.

The “Quiet Zone” work originally was supposed to be complete before the first modernized berth at T-5 was opened; that’s now been almost two years, and the second berth is almost done. Note that this doesn’t affect all train traffic in the area – some trains serve industrial facilities along the Duwamish River, not T-5, and those sections of track are not part of the project.

HBJ November 30, 2023 (11:47 am)

Holy smokes, this is going to be going on until May 2024?! Traffic is a mess going through here in the mornings, I’d rather deal with the occasional train horn than a year of traffic delays.

Seth November 30, 2023 (12:20 pm)

Wonder if there is any legal recourse for residents who have had to listen to train horns blaring at all ungodly hours of the night for years while this hasd been going on because the port was too busy shipping in giant cranes to install 3 measely crossing signals. As one such resident I have noticed a huge uptick in my sleep disruptions.

CarDriver November 30, 2023 (1:31 pm)

Seth. When/where/how long the horn blows is a federal requirement I believe. It would take congress to change. If there’s a concern the engineer is blowing the horn unnecessarily then the train owners could be contacted for relief. But, without documentation of where/when/how long doubt they’d do anything.
Steve November 30, 2023 (5:01 pm)

Ditto on the federal requirement.I live way up at highpoint and can hear the trains blow. I’m sure it isn’t as loud for me as it is for you, but I still get woke up at night.

KY November 30, 2023 (1:28 pm)

“The “Quiet Zone” work originally was supposed to be complete before the first modernized berth at T-5 was opened; that’s now been almost two years, and the second berth is almost done”. Ah, Seattle.

Derrick November 30, 2023 (2:00 pm)

It would be great if maybe the trains could just not run between midnight and 6am until the quiet zone is completed. It is absurdly disruptive at 4am!

Graciano November 30, 2023 (2:23 pm)

Train horns are required by Federal Law.
Locomotive horns are required to sound for 15-20 seconds before entering all public grade crossings, but not more than one-quarter mile in advance.
The required volume level for train horns is between 96 and 110 decibels.

West Marge November 30, 2023 (2:57 pm)

As a 10 year West Marginal resident, I am grateful for the future lack of horn blaring. The traffic is not as bad as the bridge closure, it’s just a bit annoying. I live across from the tracks and have grown accustomed to the sound, but whenever I have a guest, I’m reminded of just how loud the horns are. If it takes until May, so be it. I look forward to the relative quiet.

wetone November 30, 2023 (4:28 pm)

Live a few blocks west of junction and the 4am horn noise is much worse today than a few years ago, get woken up a couple times a week at a minimum. Add all the noise from the new / added to plane routes (SeaTac and Boeing field) makes us seriously think about moving…… and don’t forget all the sirens these days also…… West Seattle used to be such a nice quiet place. This quiet zone crap is just that, it will never be quiet or even close to what it was before T5 transformation. Port needs to ingress/egress massive amounts of containers using trucks and trains and that = noise and traffic…Port and Seattle gov made a lot of promises to the public selling their program and most believed them, now we’re stuck with it ;)

kroberts November 30, 2023 (6:43 pm)

I am sorry your sleep has been disturbed; that is not meant to sound sarcastic. I have noticed no difference. The seemingly more frequent low-flying jets have been a problem for our sleeping patters.
- Jay December 1, 2023 (1:48 am)
  
  It does feel that both jets and military helicopters are flying much lower than even a year ago. The flight ceiling is sometimes right overhead, I was walking my dog at the Sanslo Playfield a few weeks ago and a two jets passed right over the tree tops and the sound was just overwhelming.
  - CarDriver December 1, 2023 (6:51 am)
    
    Military aircraft are exempt from FAA rules as far as engine noise and how low/close to populated areas they can fly. My guess here too is that it would take congressional action to change their rules.

Amy Thomson November 30, 2023 (6:29 pm)

Thank you WSB! I’ve been wondering what all that construction was. It is annoying, but I look forward to the subsequent peace and quiet. To be honest, I don’t really mind the train noise. I just smile and think of songs about trains. But I’m a couple of blocks uphill and a mile south of T-5.I appreciate your reporting on this!

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