NEW ORLEANS, LA - Since 2019, District A Councilmember Joe Giarrusso has been working with neighbors, the current Administration, and the New Orleans Public Belt to complete the Uptown Railroad Quiet Zone. The Railroad Quiet Zone will run along the River from the Oak Street crossing to Nashville Avenue, crossing through Audubon Park and Children’s Hospital campus. Quiet Zones allow trains to pass through intersections without being obligated to sound their horn, barring an emergency.

The City and New Orleans Public Belt met several times at Giarrusso’s request, coming to a consensus on several key points in the required Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) that irons out the design work for the at-grade crossing improvements. Once the CEA is finalized, crews will add additional safety measures to each crossing.

“Finalizing the Uptown Railroad Quiet Zone has been one of my top priorities before leaving elected office,” said Councilmember Joe Giarrusso. “This has been a labor of love, and though it is unfortunate that it took several years to get this project to the finish line, I am thankful to everyone who worked together. I am the happiest for the residents who will see an improvement to their quality of life.”

“This partnership with the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad and the Port of New Orleans is a significant step forward in bringing rail crossing improvements that will improve public safety, support railroad operations, and improve the quality of life for New Orleanians through the future establishment of a railroad quiet zone. We look forward to working with the Public Belt to design these improvements and set us on a course towards constructing the project,” said Dan Jatres, Infrastructure Projects Administrator, New Orleans Office of Resilience & Sustainability. “We appreciate the work and support provided by Tomeka Bryant, General Manager and Chief Strategy Officer, and her team at the Public Belt Railroad. The City looks forward to this effort serving as a model for additional collaboration with the Public Belt on projects that will support the businesses and residents of New Orleans.”