Kent implements new railway ‘Quiet Zone’ to reduce train horn noise

The city of Kent has implemented a new ‘Quiet Zone’ following federal approval, reducing the frequency of train horns along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway mainline through its downtown area. The ordinance, which went into effect on August 24, covers eight BNSF mainline crossings between South 259th Street and South 212th Street.

To secure approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the city invested over $3.5 million into safety improvements. These upgrades included modifications to pedestrian crossings, roadway signage, pavement markings, and the installation of barrier curb medians.

Local officials and community members noted that the project aims to improve the quality of life for residents and business owners by mitigating the noise impact of trains that previously sounded horns up to 60 times a day. The initiative has been in development for more than 14 years.