City of Greeley News

One at a time, two downtown railroad crossings will temporarily close for safety improvements as a part of the City of Greeley’s quiet-zone project.

The first crossing, 8^th Street between 6^th and 7^th avenues, will close Thursday, Sept. 23, through Monday, Sept. 27.

Then the 10^th Street railroad crossing, between 6^th and 7^th avenues, will briefly close Oct. 5 through 8.

During these temporary closures, construction crews will maintain local and business access. Drivers and pedestrians crossing the railroad during construction will need to use the marked detours.

Quiet-zone improvements

This takes place as a part of City of Greeley officials’ work to improve safety at local railroad crossings—and implement a quiet zone along the city’s eastern railroad corridor.

By default, trains are required by law to sound their horns at all crossings to alert nearby drivers and pedestrians—even if no one is around. However, with a quiet-zone designation, trains are only required to sound their horns in the case of an emergency—such as a person or car on the tracks.

To create a quiet zone along the Union Pacific Railroad in eastern Greeley, the city needs certain enhanced safety features at each railroad crossing to ensure drivers stay off the tracks when trains are nearby. Then city officials go through a process involving an application to the Public Utility Commission, approval from the Federal Railroad Administration, and notice to the railroad operator. Officials expect the 8^th and 10^th Street crossings to finish that process in early 2023.

Select crossings go quiet soon

Several crossing in east Greeley will reach the end of that process soon. In about two months, quiet-zone rules will go into effect on these east Greeley railroad crossings:

• 16^th Street
• 18^th Street
• 22^nd Street

Learn more about this project and find the latest updates on the Railroad Crossing Improvements Project at greeleygov.com/services/pw/projects/railroad-crossing-improvements.