Wilson Announces Quiet Zone Progress
NW VALLEY--- Supervisor Max Wilson has announced that the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved final lease and construction agreements with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) during today’s Formal Meeting of the Board of Supervisors that will clear the way for construction of “Quiet Zone” rail crossings at Meeker Boulevard and R.H. Johnson Boulevard along Grand Avenue through Surprise and Sun City West.
Following the Board of Supervisors approval of these agreements, the railroad will issue the necessary permits for the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) to begin construction. “That’s step one,” said Max Wilson, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. “Step two is the application to the Federal Railroad Authority for final approval of the Quiet Zone after the required improvements are complete. I have asked MCDOT to be ready to start construction as soon as the permits arrive.”
Nearly two years ago, community members from the Sun City West Property Owners and
Residents Association (PORA) and Sun City Grand presented a petition signed by more than 2,000 Surprise and Sun City West residents to Supervisor Wilson requesting that both the R.H. Johnson Boulevard and Meeker Boulevard crossings along Grand Avenue be considered for railroad Quiet Zones. Since then, Maricopa County has been working with the City of Surprise and PORA to meet the requirements of the railroad and the federal government.
A total of $20,000 was raised by the community to help offset the cost of improvements to the crossings, including a $5,000 contribution from former Surprise Councilwoman Martha Bails’ City Council Fund.
By law, railroad engineers must sound their horn five times in a series of long and short blasts when approaching a railroad crossing. But local residents say engineers are going overboard along Grand Avenue. “It's a quality of life issue for both residents and businesses,” said Wilson.
Under Quiet Zone rules, if certain improvements are made to railroad crossings, trains will engage whistles only in an emergency situation such as seeing something on or near the tracks. Improvements, which include additional fencing and warning signs to discourage pedestrians and motorists from circumventing the crossing gates, are expected to cost nearly $50,000.