Old Benton Way Eliminated from Railroad Quiet Zone

A glitch in the recently established railroad quiet zone means Walnut residents may continue to hear train horns for now.

Councilwoman Mary Su, who was mayor until the reorganization Wednesday night, said that city officials have received word that one of the four crossings the quiet zone covers was not approved. 

The crossing at Old Benton Way was denied because it is a private road, Su said.  City staff has called U.S. Rep. Ed Royce's office to get assistance with the issue, she added.

The city of Walnut commemorated the establishment of the railroad quiet zone with a small ceremony on Monday.  The tracks are on the City of Industry side of Valley Boulevard, so Walnut did not do any of the construction on the project or apply for the status.  However, Walnut officials have been lobbying to get the $2 million project done for several years because the train noise affects residents.

Industry started construction on the project in 2011. Projects to ready the area slated for the designation included the addition of gates to the crossing at Fairway Drive and Lemon Avenue and the installation of raised medians at the Brea Canyon Road crossing.

Mayor Pro Tem Antonio "Tony" Cartagena said that besides the fact that Old Benton Way is a private road, the section also was eliminated because of its distance from Brea Canyon Road.  The city plans to continue work on it, he said.

Cartagena also said that he has heard from some residents that engineers have blown their horns a few times in the areas designated as part of the quiet zone.  He suggested residents write down the date and time and submit that to the city.