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Winter Haven officials say quiet zone work is near 'home stretch'; residents urge faster action
Summary
Residents described persistent train horn noise during public comment as city staff outlined steps remaining to create a quiet zone, including a pending CSX right-of-entry permit and a roughly 180-day construction timeline after approval.
Residents from southwest Winter Haven told the City Commission on April 14 that train horn noise along residential rail crossings is “unbearable” and urged quicker action to create a federally recognized quiet zone.
City staff gave a detailed status update on the quiet-zone project, saying the city has completed feasibility studies and engineering designs, received Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Florida Department of Transportation reviews, issued a notice of intent and now needs a right-of-entry permit from CSX to build safety improvements within the railroad’s right-of-way. Deputy City Manager MJ Carnivale said the city has authority to establish the quiet zone once those improvements are built and inspected by the FRA.
MJ Carnivale, Deputy City Manager: “We have a fully designed project... That right of entry permit is back with CSX pending their approval. I spoke with a member of their team today. I think we're in good shape on that… We're hoping to know in the next week or two.”
Residents described years of delays and sleep disruption. Debbie Kajrovich, who said she first raised the issue in 2015 and recalled the late Commissioner JP Powell as a project champion, told the commission she hoped the quiet zone could be dedicated in his honor and not delayed further. Barbara Klein said trains wake her at 2 a.m. and asked directly whether the project is moving forward.
City Manager (unnamed): “JP Powell was the champion of the quiet zone initiative… I’m gonna ask the deputy city manager, MJ Carnivale… to give everyone an update that shows where we are today and where we think we're headed on this.”
Timeline and process: City staff laid out remaining steps — secure CSX right-of-entry; bid and award construction (the city budgeted funds in its transportation fund); complete construction (staff estimated about 90 days for construction; combined procurement/construction timeline roughly 180 days); request and pass an FRA inspection; and issue a city notice of establishment. Once a notice of establishment is issued and the FRA inspection is passed, the quiet zone becomes effective 21 days later. Staff said engineers may still sound horns for safety if an obstruction occurs but that such uses must be justified and can be subject to fines if unjustified.
Deputy City Manager MJ Carnivale said the city does not expect materials procurement problems and that once right-of-entry is granted, construction could move quickly. Multiple speakers urged the city to share timely status updates with affected neighborhoods. Staff said it will notify residents directly when CSX returns the signed right-of-entry agreement.
The commission did not take formal action on the quiet-zone issue during the meeting; staff characterized the matter as awaiting CSX final approval before construction procurement could begin.
