This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Train quiet zones has long been a topic of conversation among Longmont residents. Of the 17 active train crossings, Longmont City Staff discussed with council the cost of turning 15 into quiet zones on Tuesday, June 25. The remaining two crossings are already a part of other projects and were not included in the costs of this conversation.
The current estimated cost of the Quiet Zone improvements, which includes the construction, a 10% contingency for construction, BNSF review charges, and construction management, is $8,436,800.
Longmont City Council directed staff to split the $2 million dollars that would come from the Street Fund over the years 2020 and 2021, lessening the burden on the city budget.
The remaining costs would come from a street tax as well as the pursuit of grants. Councilmember Joan Peck mentioned that work is being done at the state level that has the potential to bring some extra dollars to this project.
The City of Longmont hosted three open houses, issued surveys, and opened online engagement to Longmont residents to better understand public opinion and priority of this topic. The results of the City's inquiry were in support of improving the railroad crossings, understanding and accepting that some streets may be closed, and incurring city debt to continue the project.
After receiving community input, city staff identified seven priority levels for the project:
- Priority 1
- Longs Peak Avenue – 4 Quadrant Gates
- 6 th Avenue – 4 Quadrant Gates
- 5 th Avenue – Closure
- 4 th Avenue – 4 Quadrant Gates
- 3 rd Avenue – 4 Quadrant Gates
- Priority 2
- 17th Avenue – Raised Median with Gates
- Priority 3
- Mountain View Avenue – Raised Median with Gates
- Priority 4
- 9th Avenue – 4 Quadrant Gates
- Priority 5
- Terry Street – Closure
- Coffman Street – 4 Quadrant Gates
- Main Street – 4 Quadrant Gates
- Priority 6
- 21st Avenue – Raised Median with Gates
- Highway 66 – 4 Quadrant Gates
- Priority 7
- Hover Street – Raised Median with Gates
- Sunset Street – Raised Median with Gates
City staff indicated that BNSF has a policy around the opening and closing of railroad crossings. Due to this policy, it may mean that some roads in Longmont will be permanently closed during this project. Council directed staff to do their best to get around this but if it were necessary to make a suggestion based on what is best for the City of Longmont.
