Community Meeting Summary
On Tuesday, July 24 th, close to 140 residents joined City staff at the Peabody School to discuss the issue of train horn noise at the Sherman Street railroad crossing. City staff in attendance included City Manager Louis DePasquale, Deputy City Manager Lisa Peterson, Director of Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Joseph Barr, along with additional City staff and elected officials. 

Staff gave a brief presentation that outlined the background on the issue and the City’s multi-phase plan to designate a quiet zone at the Sherman Street railroad crossing.


Watch Staff Presentation
The City’s plan to designate a quiet zone at the crossing will allow the MBTA Commuter Rail and freight trains to cease using the train horn each time they pass through the crossing.
 
Phase 1 Improvements (2-3 months)
  • Install minimum 60’ long median on both approaches to Sherman Street grade crossing
  • Close curb cut on southwest side of grade crossing (Cambridge Montessori /Jose’s)
  • Restrict parking on Bellis Circle from Sherman Street to parking lot curb cut
  • Modify driveway on northeast side of grade crossing (140 Sherman Street)

Phase 2 Improvements (Winter 2018/2019)
  • Work to obtain Federal Railroad Administration approval of a modified median treatment that would allow partial or full reopening of driveway on southwest side of crossing

Phase 3 Improvements (no earlier than mid- to late-2019)
  • Install full closure/four-quadrant gates
  • Remove quick build median

During the meeting, many residents questioned whether or not the MBTA would slow train speeds to 15 MPH and employ a flagger in order to stop sounding the train horn in the very short term. This potential solution could quiet the horns until the quiet zone is established. The City has formally requested the MBTA implement this short-term measure as quickly as possible. While this can only be accomplished at the discretion of the MBTA, the City will continue to advocate for this solution on behalf of local residents.
New Frequently Asked Questions
City Staff have added new FAQs to the Sherman Street railroad crossing project page. New questions cover topics such as:

  • Will the MBTA lower train speed to 15MPH and provide a flagger so they can cease the use of horns until the quiet zone is established, as allowed under Federal regulation 49 CFR 222.33?

  • If the MBTA will not lower speeds for all trains, would it be possible to lower speed at least for the very early and very late trains.

  • How long will actual installation of the short-term median solution take?

Questions?
For more information, visit www.CambridgeMA.gov/ShermanStreetCrossing or contact Brooke McKenna at 617-349-4723 or bmckenna@Cambridgema.gov