Longmont Closes 21st Avenue Railroad Crossing

The city has shut down the 21st Avenue crossing to traffic to facilitate necessary railroad safety improvements.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Construction

Isometric editorial illustration of a segment of railroad tracks and concrete barriers, representing urban infrastructure safety improvements. — The City of Longmont has closed the 21st Avenue railroad crossing to all vehicle traffic to facilitate infrastructure and safety improvements. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The City of Longmont has officially closed the 21st Avenue railroad crossing to all vehicle traffic to allow for construction work. Crews from BNSF Railway are currently installing safety upgrades and building new sidewalks near the crossing.

Why it matters

The project serves as a key step toward establishing a quiet zone at this location, which would eventually eliminate the routine use of train horns. This work is intended to improve safety for both drivers and pedestrians.

Construction crews operate daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the duration of the three-week closure. Residents can reach the project hotline at 720-526-2044 for updates.

The players

BNSF Railway

One of the largest freight railroad networks in North America, this company operates the tracks and is leading the safety improvement efforts in Longmont.

Federal Railroad Administration

This agency is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation and is responsible for setting safety standards and approving quiet zone requests.

City of Longmont

The local municipal government is coordinating the infrastructure project to improve transit safety and neighborhood noise conditions.

The details

Drivers traveling east are being routed through Collyer Street toward 17th Avenue or Colorado Highway 66, while westbound traffic is directed to Alpine Street. Pedestrians are currently barred from the north-side crossing and must use a temporary sidewalk on the south side of the tracks.

October 28, 2026: The 21st Avenue railroad crossing closure begins.
Three weeks after October 28, 2026: The road closure is expected to conclude.
Summer 2027: Routine train horn use is expected to cease at this crossing.

Market Landscape

This crossing improvement follows the established regulatory process mandated by the Federal Railroad Administration's quiet zone requirements. Local infrastructure upgrades such as these are a prerequisite for municipalities seeking to balance public safety with noise abatement in residential areas.

Drivers in the area should plan for longer commutes during the three-week closure as they adapt to the mandatory detour routes on Collyer and Alpine streets. Pedestrians must remain alert for redirected pathing at the tracks to ensure their safety while construction crews are active.

The takeaway

Residents should anticipate localized traffic delays throughout the three-week construction period. Planning alternate routes in advance will help minimize travel disruptions while the city completes these safety enhancements.