El Paso Renewed Five Points Quiet Zone Status

The Federal Railroad Administration has officially approved the city's application to limit train horn noise.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in City Hall

Isometric editorial illustration of railroad tracks curving through a sparse desert neighborhood with low-rise buildings and arid landscaping. — The Federal Railroad Administration has renewed El Paso's quiet zone status, allowing the city to restrict Union Pacific train horn usage in the Five Points neighborhood. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you support the implementation of train horn quiet zones in your local community?

The City of El Paso successfully renewed its railroad quiet zone designation for the Five Points neighborhood. As a result, Union Pacific Railroad is prohibited from routinely sounding train horns within the specified area.

Why it matters

The quiet zone designation directly reduces noise pollution for residents living near the active rail lines in Central El Paso. This regulatory status ensures that train operations do not disrupt the neighborhood with frequent horn blasts.

The Federal Railroad Administration finalized the quiet zone status covering the Five Points area in Central El Paso. Residents can report unauthorized horn usage by calling 915-212-002.

The players

Federal Railroad Administration

This federal agency is responsible for overseeing railroad safety and regulating quiet zone designations across the country.

Union Pacific Railroad

This major freight railroad company operates tracks in El Paso and must adhere to federal quiet zone noise regulations.

Josh Acevedo

He is a City Representative for El Paso who formally announced the renewal of the local quiet zone status.

The details

The City of El Paso completed the renewal process with the Federal Railroad Administration to maintain the quiet zone, which prevents Union Pacific Railroad from performing routine horn blasts. The city expects the cessation of routine horn sounding to take full effect within a few days.

September 22, 2026: City Representative Josh Acevedo announced the quiet zone renewal.

Political Context

This renewal follows the regulatory framework established by the Federal Railroad Administration's Train Horn Rule, which governs how municipalities can implement noise reduction zones. Opponents of quiet zones often cite safety concerns related to the reduction of audible warnings at public crossings.

Residents in the Five Points area will experience a significant decrease in daily train horn noise. Those who hear train horns in the zone after the transition period can call 915-212-002 to report the incidents.

The takeaway

Maintaining quiet zones requires ongoing coordination between local governments and federal regulators to ensure compliance. Residents should keep the provided reporting number handy to help monitor local adherence to these noise restrictions.