This month, the City of Longmont will start construction on safety improvements for the first group of railroad crossings in the City’s Quiet Zones project. A Quiet Zone is a section of railroad where trains do not routinely sound their horns at road crossings. These areas are specially designated by the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) to reduce noise in neighborhoods. Extra safety measures like improved gates, lights, warning systems, and medians must be added to protect drivers and pedestrians when train horns are not used in a designated Quiet Zone.

 

A total of 17 BNSF railroad crossings have been identified for Quiet Zones through the heart of Longmont. This project is addressing 14 of those crossings and the first group to receive necessary safety upgrades are:

 

• 17th Avenue & 9th Avenue (May – July)
• Longs Peak Avenue & 3rd Avenue (July – October)

 

To create a fully connected set of Quiet Zones along the railroad that will extend from Hover Street to State Highway 66, safety improvements will happen over an estimated two years. Future construction will be grouped together in separate projects at the following crossings:

 

• 4th Avenue, 6th Avenue, 21st Avenue, 5th Avenue and Terry Street (2025 – 2026)
• Main Street, Coffman Street and Mountain View Avenue (2026 – 2027)
• State Highway 66 and Hover Street (2027)

 

When construction is complete at each crossing, train horns will continue to sound until a set of crossings is completed and approved by FRA. At that point, a Quiet Zone is established, but horn sounds may still be audible from nearby crossings and when the train operator feels it is necessary to sound the horn for safety reasons.

 

Pre-construction tasks will begin on Monday, May 12 at the 17th Avenue crossing. For one day only, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on 17th Avenue on either side of the railroad crossing. Traffic will then return to two-lanes in each direction for approximately two weeks. Primary construction is expected to begin after Memorial Day and will include regular lane closures and one-way traffic for approximately three months.

 

Construction at the 9th Avenue crossing is expected to begin in mid-June and will include similar temporary lane closures and one-way traffic, as needed. Construction at the 3rd Avenue/Atwood Street and at Longs Peak Avenue/Atwood Street crossings is anticipated to start in July. Full road closures at these crossings will be required for a limited time.

 

Regular construction hours are Monday – Friday from 7 am – 5 pm. Some work may occur until 7 pm and also on Saturdays, as necessary. Detour signs will direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic to alternate routes, as needed. Local access to driveways adjacent to the railroad crossings will be maintained at all times. However, there will be occasions when vehicles may only be able to enter and exit from one direction. Residents and visitors are encouraged to pay attention to traffic control signs and safety cones.

 

Visit the Railroad Quiet Zones webpage to learn more about this multi-year project. Check out the Railroad Quiet Zones: Project Group 1 webpage for updates on the current status of construction and specific traffic impacts near each crossing. Questions or concerns regarding the project should be directed to the project hotline by calling 720-526-2044 or emailing QuietZones@longmontcolorado.gov.