Fairhaven residents and visitors should now experience a noticeable reduction in train horn noise, thanks to the newly established “quiet zone” by the City of Bellingham and Port of Bellingham. After nearly two decades of careful planning and significant safety upgrades, train horns in Fairhaven are now only required to sound in specific situations. This change is the result of improvements at five rail crossings, aimed at balancing safety with the community’s noise concerns.
Achieving the Fairhaven Quiet Zone involved a comprehensive upgrade of five crossings along 1.25 miles to meet federal safety standards required for quiet zone implementation. These upgrades significantly reduce how often trains are required to sound their horns compared to the previous mandatory sounding at each crossing, making a real difference in daily life for those living and working nearby.
Mayor Kim Lund stated, “This Quiet Zone is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. Through careful planning and collaborative effort between the Port and the City, along with state and federal agencies and the local railway, we’ve delivered a meaningful change, and this achievement sets the stage for further improvements in other neighborhoods along our beautiful waterfront.”
Since the City and Port do not hold regulatory authority over trains, establishing the Quiet Zone involved navigating federal rail crossing safety requirements overseen by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The FRA was closely involved in the design and review of the crossing upgrades implemented by the City and Port, in collaboration with BNSF Railway. These safety upgrades include enhanced signage, flashing signals, automated crossing control gates, pedestrian exit gates and more.
The complexity and cost of these required upgrades, involving thorough risk assessments, interagency coordination, funding acquisition, and construction, contributed to the project’s extended timeline. However, the result is both a safer and quieter Fairhaven.
“The Fairhaven Quiet Zone will support a more peaceful, livable city for generations to come,” said Port Executive Director Rob Fix. “This project has been a priority for many years and, through strategic infrastructure investments, the Port is committed to reducing noise, enhancing safety and improving the quality of life for all residents of Whatcom County.”
Train horns are still required to sound in specific situations for safety purposes, including emergencies such as vehicles or pedestrians on the tracks, when trains accelerate from a stopped position and during track maintenance. This is essential to ensure the safety of all who visit and live in areas near the railroad tracks.
The Fairhaven Quiet Zone is the first of two planned for Bellingham. Progress is ongoing for the Waterfront Quiet Zone, which includes crossings on Pine Street, Cornwall Avenue, Laurel Street, Central Street, C Street and F Street. Three crossings have already been upgraded, with design underway for a fourth, and the remaining two pending funding.
For detailed information on the Quiet Zone process and updates on the Waterfront Quiet Zone, please visit the City’s website.