• This week the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and staff met with MBTA General Manager Luis Ramirez and his staff to receive an update on their response to the letters that the City has sent requesting various changes in operating practices to address the immediate impacts of the horns prior to the establishment of the official quiet zone. The MBTA is evaluating these requests, and did indicate that they would issue a communication to all locomotive engineers to emphasize the sensitivity of this location and make sure they are aware of the impact that the horns are having on local residents. Because of the significant time impacts associated with slowing trains to 15 miles per hour and the complexity of modifying the commuter rail schedule, they do not believe it will be possible to make any immediate changes to operating speeds at the crossing, particularly given that the official quiet zone is expected to be in place by early October (changes to commuter rail schedules typically take several months to plan and implement).

• The City did receive comments from the MBTA on the Notice of Intent, indicating that they do not have any comments. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has indicated that they will also be submitting their comments in the near future. In addition, during the meeting with the MBTA General Manager, MBTA staff said that they would reach out to Pan Am Railways and strongly encourage them to submit their comments as quickly as possible. As we have noted before, if we can receive comments from all of the required parties earlier than the original 60-day timeframe, then we can send the Notice of Establishment paperwork earlier.

• The City is continuing to work on the driveway relocations that are necessary as part of the quiet zone. Earlier this week we met with the owners of 140 Sherman Street (northeast side of the crossing), who are receptive to the minor driveway changes required to accommodate the quiet zone. In addition, we had an onsite meeting with local residents and a representative from the Cambridge Montessori School to discuss the relocation of their parking lot driveway on the southwest side of the crossing. At this point, it appears feasible to open up a temporary driveway closer to the corner of Bellis Circle, which will provide access to the parking lot without requiring the use of Bellis Circle. We are also looking at designating a temporary pick-up/drop-off area on Sherman Street just south of Jose’s Restaurant, to allow some parents to avoid using the parking lot entirely.

• City staff are continuing to coordinate with staff from the Federal Railroad Administration, to ensure that the plans for the quiet zone are compliant with the requirements under the train horn regulation.

• The City’s Purchasing Department re-issued the invitation for bids for the installation of the roadway safety improvements associated with the quiet zone, and is reaching out to potential bidders to encourage them to submit a bid. Bids are due on August 30th.