Emeryville Quiet Zone
Zephyr Rail led the City of Emeryville $11.8M Quiet Zone Project at 65th, 66th, and 67th Streets.
Residents and businesses of the City of Emeryville petitioned their government to address and reduce the need for horn blowing. This project addresses the request by installing supplemental safety measures (SSMs) to restrict pedestrians, bicyclists, and automobiles from entering the train tracks, reducing the need for trains to blow their horns. The SSMs include adding four quadrant gates and installing raised medians, sidewalks, and other safety features to each crossing. The improvements significantly reduce the risk of collisions.
Zephyr Rail provided Project Management, Program and Administrative Management, Quality Assurance/Quality Control, At-Grade Crossings Design, Aerial Mapping, Construction Staging/Phasing, CPUC Coordination, FRA Coordination, and Railroad Coordination to bring the City’s three year bid for a Quiet Zone to fruition.
Final recommendations include changes to a nearby freeway on-ramp to increase ramp meter storage; addition of left-turn lanes to separate through and left-turning traffic; pre-signals for the at-grade crossings; and closure of one crossing with redesign to handle emergency services.
The Emeryville Quiet Zone project is a testament to perseverance. The obstacles began with the initial bid. Cities as a whole are unprepared for the challenges of working with railroads, which are governed by unique and stringent federal and state laws. By utilizing an established CM team with extensive experience with railroads and transit agencies, governing jurisdiction scan ease the process, and achieve their Quiet Zone goals.
This project was a great success for the City of Emeryville and the region. It is the largest Quiet Zone project in Northern California and an example of construction management excellence.
Awards
2025 CMAA-NorCal Project Achievement Award–Small Business Building
Residents and businesses of the City of Emeryville petitioned their government to address and reduce the need for horn blowing. This project addresses the request by installing supplemental safety measures (SSMs) to restrict pedestrians, bicyclists, and automobiles from entering the train tracks, reducing the need for trains to blow their horns. The SSMs include adding four quadrant gates and installing raised medians, sidewalks, and other safety features to each crossing. The improvements significantly reduce the risk of collisions.
Zephyr Rail provided Project Management, Program and Administrative Management, Quality Assurance/Quality Control, At-Grade Crossings Design, Aerial Mapping, Construction Staging/Phasing, CPUC Coordination, FRA Coordination, and Railroad Coordination to bring the City’s three year bid for a Quiet Zone to fruition.
Final recommendations include changes to a nearby freeway on-ramp to increase ramp meter storage; addition of left-turn lanes to separate through and left-turning traffic; pre-signals for the at-grade crossings; and closure of one crossing with redesign to handle emergency services.
The Emeryville Quiet Zone project is a testament to perseverance. The obstacles began with the initial bid. Cities as a whole are unprepared for the challenges of working with railroads, which are governed by unique and stringent federal and state laws. By utilizing an established CM team with extensive experience with railroads and transit agencies, governing jurisdiction scan ease the process, and achieve their Quiet Zone goals.
This project was a great success for the City of Emeryville and the region. It is the largest Quiet Zone project in Northern California and an example of construction management excellence.
Awards
2025 CMAA-NorCal Project Achievement Award–Small Business Building
- Client: City of Emeryville
- Location: Emeryville, CA
- Services: Project and Construction Management, Remote Sensing
- Awards: 2025 CMAA - NorCal Project Achievement Award – Small Business Building
