Friday Roundtable: Quiet Zone in Kent
A Sounder train crosses Smith Street where it is no longer required to sound its horn before crossing.On August 24, 2026, Kent's long-awaited Quiet Zone took effect along the BNSF Railway mainline through downtown. This designation, granted by the Federal Railroad Administration in June, no longer requires trains to sound their horn when approaching an at-grade crossing. Over the past 14 years, the City of Kent has worked to meet the necessary requirements to achieve a Quiet Zone. Recent infrastructure upgrades include building raised concrete medians, adding additional signs, and refreshing pavement markings. In a non-Quiet Zone area, all trains are required to sound their horn 15-20 seconds before each street crossing.
The BNSF mainline tracks are used by 38 passenger trains and many more freight trains every day. The frequent at-grade crossings in downtown Kent resulted in nearby residents hearing hundreds of train horns day and night. The Quiet Zone stretches between S 212th St and S 259th St. The following crossings are included:
- S 212th Street
- James Street
- Smith Street
- Meeker Street
- Gowe Street
- Titus Street
- Willis Street (State Route 516)
- S 259th Street
New signage has been added before each railroad crossing.As safety is still a top priority, train engineers are still allowed to sound the horn in emergency situations or as they deem necessary. While the Quiet Zone is officially in effect, it may take some time for nearby residents to hear a difference. One week after the change was implemented, the Kent Reporter noted that many trains were still using their horn at each crossing. I was in Kent earlier this week and each of the five trains (four Sounder, one Amtrak Cascades) I saw used their horn at each crossing.
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