The proposed planning project will conduct a feasibility study to eliminate two at-grade crossings on US 34 along the border of weld and larimer counties

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded a $900,000 Project Grant under the Railroad Crossing Elimination (CFDA 20.327) program to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to conduct a feasibility study for eliminating two at-grade railroad crossings along US 34 in Weld and Larimer Counties, Colorado. The study will investigate financially and practically sustainable options to eliminate these crossings, which were identified as a freight investment need in the Colorado Freight Plan. The outcomes of this planning project will provide significant contextual knowledge of the corridor, recommend the next phase of the project (including design and construction), and determine NEPA and other preliminary engineering requirements. This grant aims to increase mobility, improve freight and train movement efficiency, and enhance safety for pedestrians and vehicles at these railroad crossing locations.

The project area was identified as a future freight investment need in the colorado freight plan, and the rights-of-way are owned by union pacific and great western railway. This study will investigate financially and practically sustainable options to eliminate these crossing. Additionally, this study and its findings will serve as a reference in evaluating other nearby railroad crossings for similar improvement opportunities. Outcomes of the study will provide significant contextual knowledge of the corridor recommend the next phase of the projects, include design and construction and will determine nepa and other preliminary engineering requirements. The intended beneficiary of this study is the state of colorado and the northern colorado communities by increasing mobility, improving efficiency for freight and train movement, and provide increased safety for pedestrian and vehicle crossing.