Construction of Quiet Zone Complete 

The City of Louisville has been working with BNSF Railway and regulatory agencies over the last several years for approval of at-grade road-rail crossing improvements to establish Railroad Quiet Zone in Louisville. A Railroad Quiet Zone is a section of rail line that contains one or more consecutive public crossings at which locomotive horns are not routinely sounded. The City budgeted over $3 million for improvements at the following crossings: Dillon Road, Pine Street, Griffith Street and South Boulder Road.

The Quiet Zone went into effect on May 23, 2022. Locomotives will no longer regularly sound the train horn when passing through the crossings. Bells mounted on the top of the railroad gate poles, will continue to sound, as these are audible warning devices for non-motorized users, such as pedestrians and bicyclists.

You may still hear the horn in case there are any hazards on the track (i.e. people or animals on the track). This is an exciting time as Louisville joins many of our neighboring communities in successfully establishing Railroad Quiet Zone at-grade highway-rail crossings.

This quality of life improvement is a partnership between communities and railroads to provide safety improvements at crossings, and cease routine locomotive horn sounding, and requires participation from everyone for its success. This includes ongoing attention to safety at rail crossings. Without audible reminders, please pay close attention to other safety measures such as warning flashing lights and gates.

Responsibilities of All Road Users

As a result of the quiet zone, the community has committed to making safe choices when approaching at-grade railroad crossings:

• Always look both ways prior to crossing railroad tracks
• Pay attention to active warning railroad gates, flashers and bells when on approach to a railroad crossing
• Remember that the locomotive engineers do have the authority, even in a Quiet Zone, to sound the locomotive horn if they see a hazard on or near the tracks

Any incidents at crossings following Quiet Zone establishment will cause a re-evaluation of the crossing or crossings and could necessitate Federal Railroad Administration and Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission involvement for consideration of additional safety features, or loss of Quiet Zone status.

The Federal Railroad Administration published a Final Rule in 2005-06 setting minimum requirements for the establishment of a quiet zone, and holds authority over quiet zone establishment. Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission has authority over safety at public crossings of railroads throughout the state. These two regulatory agencies have been involved and provided guidance.

If you have any questions about the project, please contact Public Works pworks@louisvilleco.gov by email or phone 303.335.4608.