Train horn 'quiet zone' set to start in Riviera Beach

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Riviera Beach is expected to introduce a 'quiet zone' next week to reduce train horn noise.

The silencing initiative aims to "enhance the overall quality of life and safety for residents, businesses, and visitors," Riviera Beach stated in a news release.

On March 12, the quiet zone is set to run along a 2.5-mile portion of the Florida East Coast Railway Brightline Corridor that runs parallel to Old Dixie Highway and President Barack Obama Highway. When enacted, trains would have to withhold sounding their horns between Silver Beach Road and just passed Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard, according to the release.

See also: Jupiter police to patrol beaches for sea turtle nesting season

While the quiet zone would mute horns blasts as trains approach the city's multiple crossings with roads and highways, there are some exceptions. The crossings would still require flashing lights, gates, constant warning time devices and power outage indicators, according to the Federal Railway Administration (FRA).

The locomotive engineers would also be able to sound the horn for emergencies.

“Once established, the quiet zone will greatly benefit our community by reducing noise pollution and improving safety,” Roberto Travieso, the City of Riviera Beach Public Works Director said in the release. “We are pleased to bring forth this quality of life enhancement for Riviera Beach residents and visitors.”

The FRA requires trains to sound their horns as a "universal safety precaution," but also allows cities and counties to apply for quiet zoneswith the agency.

Riviera Beach applied for its quiet zone designation following the Brightline expansion into Orlando, which opened last year.