Trains: Coal/Oil Trains, and Quiet Zones

Pines Rd/BNSF underpass community meeting, Oct 4, 2017, 5pm-7pm, CenterPlace Regional Event Center

Quiet Zones

In Spokane Valley, there is currently one railroad Quiet Zone at the University Road/Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad crossing.

Establishment of Quiet Zones (No-Blow Zones) is regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration.  For more information about Quiet Zones and how they are established, please select the links below.

• The Train Horn Rule and Quiet Zones
• Guide to the Quiet Zone Establishment Process
• FAQs about Quiet Zones

In addition, the City Council has had presentations and discussions on the topic of quiet zones. Click on the links below to read more.

DATE	DESCRIPTION
11/1/2011	Staff Research Report to Council on Railroad Quiet Zones

Park Road Safety Project - The Park Road Safety project was completed in 2010 in response to BNSF train engineers' concerns about vehicles bypassing the crossing gates.  The safety project did not include modifications that would be needed to designate the crossing a Quiet Zone.

Links to more helpful information on this topic:

• WA Utilities and Transportation Commission  (WUTC) - Railroad Safety
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Handbook
• WA State Department of Transportation (DOT) Railroad Grade Crossing - DOT Design Manual
• United States Department of Transportation (USDOT)/FHWA Railway-Highways Crossing (Section 130) Program

Coal/Oil Trains

Update:  City of Spokane Valley January 19, 2016 letter to Energy Site Evaluation Council on Tesoro Savage Vancouver Energy Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

The City of Spokane Valley is preparing comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Tesoro Savage Vancouver Energy Distribution Terminal.  Your input is welcomed.  Read more here...

More helpful links on this topic:

• January 19, 2016 Admin Report to Council on Tesoro Savage Energy Distribution Terminal
• January 19, 2016 City of Spokane Valley letter to the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council on the Tesoro Savage Energy Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
• Public Hearing presentation to Council on Tesoro Crude Oil Terminal Draft Environmental Impact Statement presentation to Council 01/12/16
• Tesoro Crude Oil Terminal DEIS presentation to Council 1/5/16
• Heavy Traffic Still Ahead - WORC Report on plans for coal production and rail movement
• Tesoro Savage Vancouver Energy Project - Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (including the DRAFT Environmental Impact Statement)