DCTA updates status of crossing gate repairs at Morse Street crossing in Denton 

September 6, 2023

Train horns expected to continue until October per federal regulations

Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) says the crossing gate repairs at the Morse Street crossing location are expected to be completed by early October. Until then, train horns will continue to sound at Morse Street, as required by federal regulations.

In early August, the electronic control mechanisms for the Morse Street crossing gates were severely damaged in a power surge incident which destroyed many of the crossing’s electrical components and circuitry.

Immediately following the power surge incident, A-trains began to stop at the Morse Street crossing and wait for flag men to clear passage as the trains sounded horns and bells, all required under federal regulations in that situation. Within a few days, initial repairs were completed, allowing trains to resume moving through the crossing at normal speeds. However, the repairs are not completed to the extent that the requirements to resume observing the crossing as a “Quiet Zone” were satisfied.

Contractors expect the final piece of the repair work, reprogramming of a crossing controller, will be completed by the first week of October, at which time DCTA will resume observing the Quiet Zone requirements, including the elimination of sounding the horns during A-train crossings at the Morse Street location.

DCTA is diligently working to provide a solution as soon as possible, but we must prioritize safety first, and observe all applicable safety regulations.

We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time period.

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