Fort collins proposes to eliminate a railroad crossing by creating an overpass along timberline road across the tracks and vine drive to alleviate the challenges at this rail crossing

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded the City of Fort Collins $957,020 on May 1, 2025, under the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program (CFDA 20.327) to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for eliminating a railroad crossing at Timberline Road. The grant funds planning and analysis activities designed to support future project development and implementation. Deliverables include collection and analysis of existing data, identification of project purpose and need, transportation technical analysis, alternatives analysis with recommendations, preliminary environmental impact analysis, and development of conceptual engineering plans. The study will also incorporate public and stakeholder engagement throughout the process.

The proposed project aims to improve safety and mobility in Fort Collins by creating an overpass along Timberline Road across railroad tracks and Vine Drive, while maintaining existing access to residents and businesses and encouraging east-west traffic to utilize a new arterial at Suniga Drive. The study period extends through October 31, 2027, and the resulting analysis and recommendations will establish the foundation for subsequent phases of the grade crossing improvement project. Upon completion, this feasibility work will position the City of Fort Collins to advance toward full project design and construction activities with comprehensive technical and environmental documentation.

Timberline road will tie into its existing footprint to the north and south while maintaining all existing access to residents and local businesses. Eastbound westbound traffic will be encouraged to use a new arterial built a half mile north of vine drive (suniga drive). This grant will fund activities to conduct a feasibility study including the collection of existing data, the identification of the purpose and need of the proposed project, a transportation technical analysis, an alternatives analysis with supported recommendations, preliminary environmental impact analysis, public and stakeholder engagement, and the development of conceptual engineering to support future project development. This project will benefit the residents and businesses located within fort collins.