The Downtown Quiet Zone is a project of interest for many residents and businesses owners who frequent Downtown Bryan. Over the past several years, the City of Bryan has been working with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on a plan to convert the downtown area into an official Quiet Zone. This will eliminate trains in that area blowing their horns at each of the 24 improved crossings in Downtown Bryan.
There are two sets of tracks or subdivisions that run through the city. The Bryan Subdivision is the easterly set of tracks that run roughly north and south. The Quiet Zone will extend from N. Sims Avenue south to S. Main Street along this subdivision.
The Navasota Subdivision enters the City of Bryan from the west and then turns south near 28th Street and Bryan Avenue. The Quiet Zone will span from Graham Drive to W. Pease Street on this track.
This project has been broken into three phases:
- Phase 1: Bryan Subdivision
- Phase 2: Navasota Subdivision
- Phase 3: Groesbeck Crossing
Once the improvements to all three phases of the Downtown Quiet Zone are completed and approved by the FRA, trains will no longer sound at these crossings.
Phases of the Quiet Zone Project
Phase 1: Bryan Subdivision
Varying improvements, including medians, islands, sidewalks, striping, signage and gate arm improvements are planned for the following intersections:
- E. 15th Street
- E. Martin Luther King Jr. Street
- E. 22nd Street
- E. 23rd Street
- E. 24th Street
- William Joel Bryan Parkway
- E. 26th Street
- E. 28th Street
- E. 29th Street
- W. 32nd Street
In addition to the intersections above, a wayside horn will be installed at Pease Street. This provides directional warning to oncoming traffic to warn of approaching trains. The installation of this mechanism is to be completed outside the Phase 1 contract with Brazos Paving, Inc.
Phase 2: Navasota Subdivision
Varying improvements, including medians, islands, sidewalks, striping, signage and gate arm improvements are planned for the following intersections:
- W. 29th Street
- S. Bryan Avenue
- S. Parker Avenue
- S. Sims Street
- Pedestrian walkway between the Clara B. Mounce and Carnegie Libraries
- S. Reed Street
- Brazos Avenue
- Graham Road
Phase 3: Groesbeck Crossing
The design for the intersection improvements have been completed. The improvements include minor realignment, the addition of sidewalks, waysides horns, and a traffic signal on both sides of the train tracks.
Still Have Questions?
If you still have questions, or would like more information about the Downtown Quiet Zone project, please contact:
Eric Blackburn, Graduate Civil Engineer
Phone: 979-209-5030
Email: eblackburn@bryantx.gov
Contact Us
Phone: 979-209-5030
Fax: 979-209-5035
Location
Development Center
200 E. 29th St., Bryan, TX 77803
Hours
Monday-Friday:
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.