UPDATE: San Mateo shifts August 18 council meeting time to focus on Train Quiet Zone plan
San Mateo, California – The City of San Mateo has made an important change to the schedule for its City Council meeting on Monday, August 18, 2025. The meeting will now start about 7:00 p.m. at the City Council Chambers at 330 W. 20th Avenue, instead of the earlier time it was supposed to. Residents will also be able to join in online, and a link will be sent out closer to the event date.
The City’s Train Quiet Zone Program is one of the most important things on the agenda. This project aims to stop train horns from blasting at key railroad crossings on a regular basis. This will make communities quieter and make the crossings safer. Council members are expected to provide direction on the next steps of the program during the meeting.
The Quiet Zone plan focuses on two important crossings: Villa Terrace and East Bellevue Avenue. Planned modifications there would make it less likely that trains would need to use their horns all the time. But train operators would still be able to use horns in some cases, like when there are dangers on the rails, in construction zones, or in emergencies. Other safety features, such as bells and flashing lights at crossings, would still stay on to ensure public protection.
The City of San Mateo is following the rules set by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in 2005, which let local governments set up Quiet Zones. Cities must put in place FRA-approved safety measures at crossings in order to be eligible. These can be things like more effective four-quadrant gates, median barriers, changing a street from two-way to one-way, or closing the whole street. San Mateo’s activities are in line with this federal framework, which aims to address both community concerns and national safety standards.
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There are currently multiple at-grade crossings along the Caltrain and Union Pacific rail corridor in the city. These include those at 1st through 5th Avenues, 9th Avenue, and near Hayward Park Station. The Villa Terrace and East Bellevue upgrades will be the first steps in the bigger Quiet Zone plan. City officials will keep an eye on the progress of the plan when the work is done.
Community members who want to keep up with the project can ask to be included to the City’s email list for updates. Residents who want to stay up to date on the Quiet Zone’s work and upcoming council meetings should contact Assistant Engineer Karen Cornejo at [email protected].
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As the August 18 meeting gets closer, officials are encouraging individuals to come to it in person or online to learn more about the program and how it might affect areas in the city. The new start time gives local residents time to prepare ahead to take part in what is believed to be a big step toward making train noise quieter and making rail safety better in San Mateo.
