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Yesterday, a quiet zone went into effect in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., the result of safety enhancements completed at five grade crossings in the city as part of the Orange County Transportation Authority's (OCTA) rail safety enhancement program. San Juan Capistrano is the eighth and final city in the county to establish a quiet zone.

OCTA partnered with eight cities to implement the $85 million program, which called for completing safety enhancements at 52 crossings, such as upgraded and updated warning devices, additional gate arms, extended and raised medians, improved signage and coordinated traffic signals. The work was completed last year.

Cities in the county applied for quiet zone status with the Federal Railroad Administration. After a quiet zone is established, trains only sound their horns at crossings for safety reasons or if they are moving through a construction zone.

Quiet zones now have been established at 43 crossings in Anaheim, Orange, Dana Point, Irvine, Tustin, San Clemente, Santa Ana and San Juan Capistrano.

Meanwhile, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Co. to upgrade a grade crossing in Sycamore.

The railroad will install mast-mounted flashing lights and roadway gates at the Sycamore Avenue/State Route 67 crossing.

Work must be completed by Dec. 13. Funding for the project will be covered by federal dollars.