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Downtown Quiet Zone

Home / Engineering Services / Downtown Quiet Zone

downtown quiet zone - railroad tracks

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 Ave. The Quiet Zone will span from W. 28th Street 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.

Do you want to see the proposed improvements at each intersection? Our GIS Story Map can show you that and a whole lot more. We will walk you through the planned improvements at each crossing and show progress update photos in a neat before and after feature. Here you can also find the overall planned sequence and schedule for construction.

View Story Map

Latest Updates

Downtown Quiet Zone

Downtown Quiet Zone update

Construction work has slowed on the Downtown Quiet Zone recently, but progress is still being made, as city staff work to expedite the project as much as possible.

February 22, 2022

12 capital projects to watch in 2022

From parks to storm water and road improvements to sidewalks, residents will have the opportunity to give input on some projects and see big progress made on others. Here are 12 public improvement projects in Bryan to keep your eye on this year.

January 7, 2022

Downtown Quiet Zone Phase 1 update – November 2021

Progress has been made on the Downtown Quiet Zone, but construction has stopped due to contractual delays from Union-Pacific Railroad.

November 4, 2021

Downtown Quiet Zone construction updates: 8/19

Construction on the Downtown Bryan Quiet Zone is moving at a quick pace, but residents and business owners may notice work beginning at various railroad crossings earlier than expected.

August 19, 2021
quite zone

Downtown Quiet Zone construction starts Aug. 9

Construction is officially beginning on the first phase of the Downtown Quiet Zone project, and the contractor, Brazos Paving, Inc., has been given approval to begin work beginning on Monday Aug. 9.

August 5, 2021
downtown quiet zone - railroad tracks

Downtown Quiet Zone making progress

Businesses, residents and visitors in Downtown Bryan can officially look forward to a few less train horns, as the first phase of the improvements needed to make it happen was approved at the June 8, 2021 Bryan City Council meeting.

June 22, 2021

downtown quiet zone - east 23rd street railroad crossing

Timeline

Phase 1: Bryan Subdivision

Construction is expected to begin on Aug. 9, 2021 and is estimated to take six to eight months, weather permitting. This schedule is subject to change.

Varying improvements, including medians, islands, sidewalks, striping, signage and gate arm improvements are planned for the following intersections:

Outside of Railroad ROW

E. 29th Street

Start: Aug. 9
End: Aug. 27

E. 28th Street

Start: Aug. 11
End: Sept. 2

E. 26th Street

Start: Sept. 3
End: Sept. 27

E. 24th Street

Start: Sept. 7
End: Sept. 23

E. 23rd Street

Start: Sept. 24
End: Oct. 13

E. 22nd Street

Start: Sept. 28
End: Oct. 18

E. Martin Luther King Jr. Street

Start: Oct. 19
End: Nov. 4

E. 15th Street

Start: Oct. 19
End: Nov. 15

Inside of Railroad ROW

E. 15th Street

Start: Nov. 16
End: Nov. 23

E. Martin Luther King Jr. Street

Start: Nov. 24
End: Jan. 5, 2022

E. 22nd Street

Start: Jan. 6, 2022
End: Jan. 13, 2022

E. 23rd Street

Start: Jan. 14, 2022
End: Jan. 25, 2022

E. 24th Street

Start: Jan. 14, 2022
End: Jan. 25, 2022

William Joel Bryan Parkway

Start: Jan. 14, 2022
End: Jan. 27, 2022

E. 26th Street

Start: Jan. 28, 2022
End: Feb. 8, 2022

E. 28th Street

Start: Jan. 28, 2022
End: Feb. 8, 2022

E. 29th Street

Start: Jan. 28, 2022
End: Feb. 8, 2022

W. 32nd Street

Start: Feb. 22, 2022
End: March 11, 2022

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 an approaching train. The installation of this mechanism is to be completed outside the Phase 1 contract with Brazos Paving, Inc.

Phase 2: Navasota Subdivision

Construction could begin before the end of 2021 and is expected to take six months.

Varying improvements, including medians, islands, sidewalks, striping, signage and gate arm improvements are planned for the following intersections:

  • W. 29th Street
  • S. Bryan Avenue
  • W. 28th Street
  • 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, and a signal on both sides of the train tracks. There is not currently a timeline for construction of this phase, as that is contingent upon Union-Pacific Railroad approving documentation and making trackside improvements.

Still Have Questions?

If you still have questions, or would like more information about the Downtown Quiet Zone project, please contact:

Rachel Gaddis, EIT
Phone: 979.209.5030
Email: rgaddis@bryantx.gov