- Home
- Gov
- Departments
- Public Works
- Current & Upcoming Projects
- Train Quiet Zone Program
Train Quiet Zone Program
City Council Direction
Based on the August 18, 2025 City Council Meeting, City Council has directed staff to move forward with the permanent closures of Villa Terrace and East Bellevue Avenue at the railroad tracks to establish a Train Quiet Zone Program. The project is currently in the design phase, with construction anticipated to start Quarter 3/Quarter 4 of 2026.
Introduction
The City of San Mateo is initiating a Train Quiet Zone Program, which reduces the routine noise of train horns near rail crossings and increases rail safety. As part of this program, permanent closures are proposed on Villa Terrace and East Bellevue Avenue at the railroad tracks. After improvements at Villa Terrace and East Bellevue Avenue are complete, the City will continue to monitor this program to keep the train noise reduction benefits.
The Train Quiet Zone Program will allow trains to reduce routine sounding of the train horns near railroad crossings. Trains may still sound their horns as a safety measure in certain scenarios, such as when approaching station platforms, entering construction zones, or encountering a hazard on the tracks. In addition, other safety warning devices—such as locomotive bells and flashing lights at railroad crossings—will remain in use.
If you’d like to join our interested parties list to receive email updates on the Quiet Zone effort, please contact Karen Cornejo, Assistant Engineer, at kcornejo@cityofsanmateo.org
Rail Corridor in San Mateo
The rail system in the City of San Mateo, including all safety warning devices at crossings, is owned by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (PCJPB). Passenger and freight service along the rail system are provided by Caltrain and Union Pacific respectively.
In the City, there are at-grade crossings at Villa Terrace, E. Bellevue Ave, 1st Ave, 2nd Ave, 3rd Ave, 4th Ave, 5th Ave, 9th Ave and Hayward Park Station.
Federal Railroad Administration Requirements
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) governs railroad operations. In 2005, FRA created the regulation that allows cities to establish a Train Quiet Zone (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Part 222). To establish a Train Quiet Zone, cities must implement FRA approved safety measures at at-grade crossings. FRA approved safety measures include upgraded four-quadrant gates, concrete medians, street closures, and one-way street conversions.
Current Projects
Villa Terrace and East Bellevue Ave
Based on the August 18, 2025 City Council Meeting, City Council has directed staff to move forward with the permanent closures of Villa Terrace and East Bellevue Avenue at the railroad tracks to establish a Train Quiet Zone Program. The project is currently in the design phase, with construction anticipated to start Quarter 3/Quarter 4 of 2026.
Prior to the Council meeting, a public survey was published on the City’s website from 07/09/2025 and 08/12/2025. 252 residents responded to the survey. Full results can be found in the PDF’s below.
Community Survey 2025 (English)
Community Survey 2025 (Spanish)
Completed Projects
4th and 5th Avenues
At 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue near the railroad tracks, the City and Caltrain implemented the following improvements, that was 100% funded from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Section 130 Program:
- City Scope: Lighting and bike lanes on 5th Avenue from B Street to Railroad Avenue, pavement resurfacing, installation of ADA-compliant ramps, and traffic marking improvements. Construction began June 2023 and is now complete.
- Caltrain upgraded the existing two-quadrant gates to four-quadrant gates with vehicle presence detection. Construction began March 2024 and is now complete.
In 2021 after decades of planning, the $205.9 million 25th Ave Grade Separation Project was completed. The project grade separated E. 25th Avenue from Palm Court to S. Delaware Street, E. 28th Avenue from El Camino Real and S. Delaware Street, and E. 31st Avenue from El Camino Real and S. Delaware Street.
Past Meetings
- August 18, 2025 - City Council Meeting
- August 4, 2025 - Community Meeting
- January 15, 2025 - Caltrain Community Outreach Meeting. Presentation & Recording to Meeting
- July 15, 2024 - City Council Study Session
- June 20, 2023 – City Council Meeting
- January 6, 2020 – City Council Meeting
- August 20, 2018 – City Council Meeting
- September 11, 2013 – City Council Meeting
- December 8, 2010 – City Council Meeting
- October 14, 2009 – City Council Meeting
1. Who will the Train Quiet Zone Program benefit?
The City’s goal is to establish Train Quiet Zones along the railroad corridor located within the City of San Mateo. The Train Quiet Zone Program will reduce the routine noise of train horns near rail crossings and increase rail safety.
2. Who asked for a Train Quiet Zone?
The project is in response to ongoing community concerns around train noise. Community concerns were raised as early as 2009, and City Council made the Train Quiet Zone a priority starting in 2017.
3. Is staff performing public outreach for this project?
Yes, staff will perform outreach when the project gets closer to construction. In Q2/Q3 of 2025, staff performed comprehensive public outreach, including mailed notices, social media updates, targeted neighborhood door knocking, an online community survey, physical posters at the proposed project sites, coordination with stakeholders, and a community meeting. In 2024, staff performed the same level of outreach as outlined above. In addition, construction related outreach will be performed.
4. Are there public meetings regarding these projects?
Yes, refer to the “Meetings” tab.
5. Who can I contact regarding the Quiet Zone effort?
Please contact Karen Cornejo, Assistant Engineer, at (650) 522-7300 or kcornejo@cityofsanmateo.org
6. Can I be added to an “interested parties” list to receive routine updates?
Yes, please contact Karen Cornejo, Assistant Engineer, at (650) 522-7300 or kcornejo@cityofsanmateo.org
Villa Terrace and East Bellevue Avenue FAQs
1. Why is an at-grade crossing closure considered a rail safety measure?
Closing one or more crossings greatly reduces the risk of a collision in a rail corridor because pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars will no longer be able to cross the railroad tracks at the closure location.
2. Why aren’t quad gates or grade separation being proposed at Villa Terrace and E. Bellevue Avenue?
Quad gates and grade separation are not being proposed due to significant cost and schedule implications.
3. What does an at-grade closure at E. Bellevue Avenue and Villa Terrace look like?
For an at-grade closure on E. Bellevue Avenue and Villa Terrace, pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars will no longer be able to cross the railroad tracks. Both ends of the street(s) will be converted into cul-de-sacs. Some driveways closest to the tracks may need to be adjusted, but all driveway access will be maintained.
4. What are the alternate routes if Villa Terrace and E. Bellevue Ave are closed?
Pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle traffic will be rerouted to E. Poplar Ave or Peninsula Ave.
5. Was a traffic study performed for these improvements?
A 2023 Transportation Impact Analysis found that Option A (Villa Terrace closure & E. Bellevue Avenue medians) and Option B (Villa Terrace and E. Bellevue Avenue closures) did not result in unacceptable traffic impacts.
This year, the City updated the traffic data and reached the same conclusion for both options. This year's analysis also included N. Claremont Street intersections, where more detailed information will be provided at the Community and Council meetings. Meeting details are on the City website.