- Martin County commissioners voted 3-2 to create train quiet zones
- Three of the county’s 27 railroad crossings will be first
- Locations are in Jensen Beach and Hobe Sound
Martin County commissioners voted Tuesday to establish train quiet zones at a limited number of railroad crossings, responding to resident complaints about train horns. Only 3 of the county’s 27 crossings will be addressed first.
A Broad Proposal Gets Narrowed
The debate began with a motion to turn all 27 crossings in Martin County into quiet zones. A second motion then cut back the scope, and that narrower version passed 3-2.
The vote reverses course for the board. Commissioners had unanimously voted against quiet zones the previous year.
Opponents focused on safety. Supporters described the issue as one of quality of life for people who live near the tracks.
Where the First Quiet Zones Will Go
Work will start at two crossings, at County Line Road and Skyline Drive in Jensen Beach. The third crossing is along Dixie Highway in Hobe Sound, near Mariner Sands.
The remaining crossings are not part of the first round.
How Neighboring Communities Compare
Martin County is following steps already taken nearby. St. Lucie County has set up a quiet zone at three crossings in the southern end of the county. In Palm Beach County, both Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens recently established quiet zones.
Closer to home, the City of Stuart recently received a $1.86 million grant to improve safety along the rail corridor. The city sits between the two areas where Martin County plans to begin its quiet zone work. Readers can find more local government coverage on the Stuart news page.
