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: October 8, 2026

 

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

4th Ave./Atwood St. and 6th Ave./Atwood St.

    • One-way traffic on either side of the tracks has been restored on Atwood St. from 3rd Ave. to Longs Peak Ave.
    • Starting Oct. 8 for approximately three weeks, there will be intermittent short-term lane closures on 4th Ave. and 6th Ave. across the railroad tracks. Flaggers will be directing traffic in each direction at the crossing.
    • Traffic is fully open in both directions on 5th Ave. across the railroad tracks.
    • A short-term full closure of the 4th Ave./Atwood and 6th Ave./Atwood railroad crossings is expected in early November. Traffic will detour using 5th Ave. and Longs Peak Ave.
    • Pedestrian access across the railroad tracks is closed. Detour routes are 3rd Ave., 5th Ave., and Longs Peak Ave.

 

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-November).
    • 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.

    • The crossing is fully closed to vehicles. It is expected to reopen on October 13 for approximately five weeks and then close again starting mid-November for approximately three weeks. Drivers will detour to Collyer Street, 17th Avenue and Alpine Street.

 

Terry St./1st Ave.

    • On October 8, construction will begin on a new access road from the north end of Terry St. to Coffman St. This will take approximately one week to complete.
    • Once the access road is open, the railroad crossing will permanently close to vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians.
    • 1st Ave. is currently open in both directions.
    • For one day during the week of October 12, the north lane of 1st Ave. will be closed.
      • Flaggers will direct traffic in both directions through the south lane.
      • Residents of the mobile home park will be able to turn either east or west onto 1st Ave. with the assistance of flaggers.

 

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

 

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.