We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the City of Greenville, SC initiate the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) quiet-zone establishment process for the segment of track running through Downtown Greenville’s West End—beginning at Nelson Street and including the crossings at Dunbar Street, Vardry Street, Field Street, and South Main Street.
Why a Quiet Zone is Needed
A Quiet Zone is an area where the routine sounding of a train horn is not required at public road crossings, where safety is ensured using physical protections — like four-quadrant gates, raised medians, and channelization devices — instead of relying on noise. There are more than 1,000 Quiet Zones across the United States, covering more than 5,500 grade crossings.
In recent years, Greenville’s West End has seen explosive residential and commercial growth. Hundreds of new residents now live within blocks of the rail line. Train horns, which can exceed 100 decibels, disrupt sleep, reduce quality of life, and hinder the growth of a thriving urban neighborhood. For a city branding itself as vibrant and walkable, reducing unnecessary noise is essential. Establishing a Quiet Zone would significantly improve livability, attract new investment, and strengthen Greenville's national reputation as a desirable, modern city.
A Perfect Local Fit
As of today, the entire state of South Carolina has just a handful of designated Quiet Zones. This initiative would attract regional and national attention, further establishing Greenville as a leader in forward-thinking urban development. This particular stretch of track, which hosts slow-moving trains both day and night, passes directly through one of Greenville’s densest residential and commercial hubs. By targeting just five crossings—Nelson, Dunbar, Vardry, Field, and Main—the City can deliver meaningful relief with a focused investment.
Our Request
We urge the City of Greenville to begin the quiet-zone process immediately by convening a diagnostic team with FRA, SCDOT, and the railroad to assess safety upgrades and funding options. This project will protect residents, promote economic growth, and enhance the livability of our downtown.
13 Comments
The horn is unnecessarily loud and prolonged for a train going through a residential neighborhood in the middle of the night. Please consider making this a quiet zone!
Lived in West End of Greenville when we first moved here and have since bought a home in the Southernside Neighborhood of city. However, was always very shocking how there weren’t already basic safety measures or gates at any of the crossings in the west end near flour field and high school, I also believe if these were in place then there would be no need for random 3am or 4am horn blasts from approaching trains. Let’s help get this resolved in an already growing part of the city!
PLEASE Keep the train horns off from the West End through the Guess St. Crossing. We hear it multiple times a night and its really disturbing
Living right near the tracks is impossible with the blasting horns at 2am. It wakes the whole house up every time.
PLEASE fix this. The noise is just way too much for a neighborhood that is supposed to be residential.
168A Otis St
I agree with this petition, Please stop the horns
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We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the City of Greenville, SC initiate the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) quiet-zone establishment process for the segment of track running through Downtown Greenville’s West End—beginning at Nelson Street and including the crossings at Dunbar Street, Vardry Street, Field Street, and South Main Street.
Why a Quiet Zone is Needed
A Quiet Zone is an area where the routine sounding of a train horn is not required at public road crossings, where safety is ensured using physical protections — like four-quadrant gates, raised medians, and channelization devices — instead of relying on noise. There are more than 1,000 Quiet Zones across the United States, covering more than 5,500 grade crossings.
In recent years, Greenville’s West End has seen explosive residential and commercial growth. Hundreds of new residents now live within blocks of the rail line. Train horns, which can exceed 100 decibels, disrupt sleep, reduce quality of life, and hinder the growth of a thriving urban neighborhood. For a city branding itself as vibrant and walkable, reducing unnecessary noise is essential. Establishing a Quiet Zone would significantly improve livability, attract new investment, and strengthen Greenville's national reputation as a desirable, modern city.
A Perfect Local Fit
As of today, the entire state of South Carolina has just a handful of designated Quiet Zones. This initiative would attract regional and national attention, further establishing Greenville as a leader in forward-thinking urban development. This particular stretch of track, which hosts slow-moving trains both day and night, passes directly through one of Greenville’s densest residential and commercial hubs. By targeting just five crossings—Nelson, Dunbar, Vardry, Field, and Main—the City can deliver meaningful relief with a focused investment.
Our Request
We urge the City of Greenville to begin the quiet-zone process immediately by convening a diagnostic team with FRA, SCDOT, and the railroad to assess safety upgrades and funding options. This project will protect residents, promote economic growth, and enhance the livability of our downtown.
13 Comments
We were looking to build our primary residence next to the track and decided not to just for that reason!
The horn is unnecessarily loud and prolonged for a train going through a residential neighborhood in the middle of the night. Please consider making this a quiet zone!
Lived in West End of Greenville when we first moved here and have since bought a home in the Southernside Neighborhood of city. However, was always very shocking how there weren’t already basic safety measures or gates at any of the crossings in the west end near flour field and high school, I also believe if these were in place then there would be no need for random 3am or 4am horn blasts from approaching trains. Let’s help get this resolved in an already growing part of the city!
PLEASE Keep the train horns off from the West End through the Guess St. Crossing. We hear it multiple times a night and its really disturbing
Living right near the tracks is impossible with the blasting horns at 2am. It wakes the whole house up every time.
PLEASE fix this. The noise is just way too much for a neighborhood that is supposed to be residential.
168A Otis St
I agree with this petition, Please stop the horns
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We were looking to build our primary residence next to the track and decided not to just for that reason!