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City project

Caltrain Corridor Quiet Zone Implementation

Implementation of Quiet Zones along the Caltrain corridor at Palo Alto rail crossings, intended to improve crossing safety and eliminate routine train-horn use.

Current status
Staff reported that City Council reviewed a recommendation to install four quad-gate systems.
Location
Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, Charleston Road, and Palo Alto Avenue rail crossings, Palo Alto, CA
Street view near Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, Charleston Road, and Palo Alto Avenue rail crossings, Palo Alto, CA
Map of Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, Charleston Road, and Palo Alto Avenue rail crossings, Palo Alto, CA

  1. May 11, 2026 Council Direction

    Council directed staff to prioritize and expedite Quiet Zones at all four crossings, with emphasis on accelerating the Churchill Avenue crossing. It also directed exploration with Caltrain of gates or other options for enhanced enclosure or safety measures, separate from the Quiet Zone work.

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  2. December 10, 2025: City Council review update

    The reported recommendation covered four quad-gate systems at Churchill, Meadow, and Charleston crossings.

    Read related coverage