37th Avenue & Oak Street Quiet Zone Improvements

In response to concerns regarding the impact of train horn noise on Milwaukie residents, the City began an investigation into options available to eliminate train horn noise. In October 2007, Council approved a resolution creating a Quiet Zone along the Union Pacific Mainline at the Harrison St., Oak St. and 37th Ave. rail crossings. Approval of the Quiet Zone was issued by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in March 2011.

Prior to silencing train horns, a number of safety improvements needed to be funded and constructed at each of the three railroad crossings within the established Quiet Zone. The first phase of these improvements consisted of sidewalk and roadway median construction at the Harrison Street railroad crossing. This work was completed in August 2012.

The 37th Avenue & Oak Street Quiet Zone Improvements project was the last phase of construction before establishment of the Quiet Zone on the Union Pacific Mainline. This work consisted of roadway median construction at the Oak Street and 37th Avenue railroad crossings. Upon completion of this project, the City submitted a Notice of Quiet Zone Establishment to the FRA, who then issued an order to implement the Quiet Zone restrictions, silencing the train horns. Union Pacific Railroad, although bound by the Quiet Zone restrictions, may still sound their horns in cases of emergencies. Quiet Zone implementation occurred February 5, 2014.

For further information about this project or the Union Pacific Mainline Quiet Zone, please contact the Engineering Department at (503) 786-7606.