Railroad Quiet Zones: Project Group 2 - City of Longmont

Railroad Quiet Zones: Project Group 2

railroad tracks

Project Group 2 for the railroad Quiet Zones project includes safety improvements to the five crossings listed below. Construction is anticipated to start in late summer 2026 and is anticipated to be completed early next year. It will include installation of asphalt pavement, concrete curb/gutter/sidewalk, raised medians, pavement markings, signage, fencing and installation of railroad gates with flashers. Two of the crossings listed below will be permanently closed to vehicles, bikes and pedestrians.

 

Safety Improvements

    • 4thAvenue/Atwood Street: Four-quadrant gate
    • 5th Avenue/Atwood Street: Permanent closure
    • 6th Avenue/Atwood Street: Four-quadrant gate
    • 21st Avenue: Two-quadrant gate with median
    • Terry Street: Permanent closure

 

Project Status

Updated: August 25, 2026

 

Note: Trains will remain active on the railroad tracks during construction.

4th Ave./Atwood St.

    • Construction is anticipated to start Monday, Aug. 31.
    • One lane in each direction will remain open on 4th Ave.
    • A short-term full closure of the railroad crossing is expected in late September. Traffic will detour using 5th Ave.
    • 3rd Ave. to 4th Ave. local access: The existing traffic pattern on Atwood St. will remain unchanged. Traffic will continue to travel one-way northbound on the east side of the railroad tracks and one-way southbound on the west side, with access from 3rd Ave. and 4th Ave. Flaggers will be stationed at 4th Ave. to assist local traffic through the construction area. Delays may be possible.
    • 4th Ave. to 5th Ave. local access: Atwood St. will temporarily change from one-way to two-way local access on both sides of the railroad tracks. Vehicles will enter and exit this block from 5th Ave. Access will not be available from 4th Ave.
    • No parking will be allowed on Atwood St. between 4th Ave. and 5th Ave.
    • Sidewalks at the 4th Ave. railroad crossing will be closed. Pedestrians should use 5th Ave. or 3rd Ave.

 

6th Ave./Atwood St.

    • Construction is anticipated from Tuesday, Sept. 8 through mid-October.
    • One lane in each direction will remain open on 6th Ave.
    • A short-term full closure of the railroad crossing is expected in late September. Traffic will detour using Longs Peak Ave.
    • 5th Ave. to 6th Ave. local access: 5th Ave. to 6th Ave. local access: Atwood St. will temporarily change from one-way to two-way local access on both sides of the railroad tracks. Vehicles will enter and exit this block from 5th Ave. Access will not be available from 6th Ave.
    • 6th Ave. to Longs Peak Ave.: Atwood St. will be closed.
    • No parking will be allowed on Atwood St. between 5th Ave. and Longs Peak Ave.
    • Sidewalks at the 6th Ave. railroad crossing will be closed. Pedestrians should use Longs Peak Ave. or 5th Ave.
    • Columbine Elementary School students who normally use the Atwood St. pick-up and drop-off area will use the existing drop-off area on 6th Ave. during construction. Other school access from Longs Peak Ave. and Baker St. will remain unchanged.

 

5th Ave./Atwood St.

    • The 5th Ave. crossing will remain open while construction is underway at 4th Ave. and 6th Ave. and will provide access to Atwood St. between 4th Ave. and 6th Ave.
    • Construction at 5th Ave. will begin after work at the 4th Ave. and 6th Ave. crossings is complete (anticipated in mid- to late October).
    • When construction begins, the 5th Ave. railroad crossing will permanently close to vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. There will be no through traffic allowed on 5th Ave. across the railroad tracks.
    • All east-west traffic will use 4th Ave. or 6th Ave.

 

21st Ave.

    • Construction is anticipated to begin at the end of September.
    • A full closure of the crossing will be required to complete the work.

 

Terry St./1st Ave.

    • Construction is anticipated to begin in mid- to late October.
    • When construction begins, the crossing will permanently close to vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians.
    • A new access road will provide access to properties along Terry St. between 1st Ave. and 2nd Ave.

 

Construction hours: Monday through Friday from 7 am to 5 pm, with some weekend work as needed.

 

Atwood St. Traffic Map During Construction

raffic map showing Atwood Street between 3rd and 6th avenues. Atwood Street has one-way traffic between 3rd and 4th avenues. Between 4th and 6th avenues, traffic is limited to local access and two-way traffic, with no parking. Road closures are shown at 4th and 6th avenues. Collyer Street is west of Atwood Street, and Baker Street is east.

Construction Schedule

    • Construction is expected to begin in late summer 2026.
    • Some crossings may have overlapping construction schedules.
    • The 5th Avenue/Atwood Street crossing will remain open until the 4th Avenue and 6th Avenue crossings are completed.

 

Quiet Zone Designation Schedule

Once construction of these and adjacent crossing is completed, a request will be filed with the Federal Railroad Administration to implement the Quiet Zone. If approved, the Quiet Zone will go into effect. The City currently anticipates the following schedule for routine train horns to stop sounding:

    • Winter 2026: 5th Avenue (crossing closure), Terry Street (crossing closure)
    • Summer 2027: 3rd Avenue, 4th Avenue, 6th Avenue Longs Peak Avenue, 9th Avenue, 21st Avenue

 

Work Hours

    • Regular construction hours are Monday – Friday from 7 am – 5 pm.
    • Some work may occur until 7 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays, as necessary.

 

Questions?

For questions or concerns about the Quiet Zones project, please email QuietZones@longmontcolorado.gov or call 720-526-2044. More information about all four of the project groups can be found by visiting the Railroad Quiet Zones in Longmont webpage.

 

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