City reports MBTA quiet‑zone work delayed; design revisions expected in July

The city manager told the Chelsea City Council that the city’s effort to reestablish an MBTA quiet zone — which would reduce routine commuter-rail horn use in Chelsea — has encountered technical delays and requires design amendments after MBTA infrastructure improvements along the Newburyport/Rockport line.

The city’s update said the revised project design is expected to be completed in July and then submitted to the appropriate state and federal agencies for review. The city anticipates construction could begin in late fall 2025 or spring 2026 and that construction would take approximately six months once approvals are received.

The communication noted the horns sound “for safety and to prevent fatal accidents” and that the city is working with the MBTA, Keolis (the MBTA’s commuter-rail operator), the Department of Public Utilities and the Federal Railroad Administration on safety upgrades required for quiet-zone approval.

The council accepted and filed the communication. Councilors reiterated residents’ frustration about train horn noise and asked staff to continue coordination with state and federal partners. The update did not set a firm start date and made clear state and federal approvals are required before construction can proceed.

The MBTA quiet-zone designation requires safety improvements at rail crossings that meet state and federal standards; the council’s update underscores that recent MBTA track or signal work changed the project scope and triggered plan revisions. The timeline given by city staff reflects those interagency dependencies rather than a city-only permitting or funding decision.