BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A portion of Fairhaven is a bit quieter following a series of upgrades.

The City of Bellingham announced that a “quiet zone” is now in effect for a 1 ¼ mile section of railroad that runs through Fairhaven.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that safety upgrades were needed at five crossings in order to comply with federal “quiet zone” regulations. With those upgrades completed, passing trains are no longer required to sound their horns as frequently.

“The Fairhaven Quiet Zone will support a more peaceful, livable city for generations to come,” said Port Executive Director Rob Fix. “This project has been a priority for many years and, through strategic infrastructure investments, the Port is committed to reducing noise, enhancing safety and improving the quality of life for all residents of Whatcom County.”

Conductors are still required to alert people in a quiet zone if there’s a safety issue or if the tracks are undergoing maintenance.

A second quiet zone, which is expected to span part of Bellingham’s Waterfront area, is currently being upgraded to meet federal standards.