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Public utilities

Colorado Public Utilities Commission Approves BNSF Railway's $337,761 Crossing Upgrade

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has granted BNSF Railway Company's application to upgrade the Table Mountain Parkway crossing in Golden, Colorado, from motion detection to constant warning time. The upgrade will improve safety at the crossing by providing a more uniform warning time to motorists based on the speed of an approaching train. The project will also replace older equipment with new, more reliable systems, ensuring compliance with current American Railway Engineers and Maintenance of Way standards.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Commission deemed BNSF's application complete and granted the upgrade on February 18, 2025, after reviewing the record in the matter.
  • The upgrade aims to improve safety at the Table Mountain Parkway crossing by replacing older equipment and updating the track circuitry from motion detection to constant warning time.
  • The project will cost $337,761, with BNSF covering 100% of the costs.
  • The upgrade will bring the crossing into compliance with current American Railway Engineers and Maintenance of Way standards.
  • The project will require BNSF to inform the Commission in writing that the work is complete within ten days of completion by November 30, 2025.
  • BNSF will be required to update the US DOT Crossing Inventory Form for the crossing and file it in the proceeding by November 30, 2025.
  • The Commission retains jurisdiction to enter further decisions as necessary.

Statistics:

  • $337,761: The estimated cost of the project to upgrade the Table Mountain Parkway crossing.
  • 100%: The percentage of costs that BNSF will cover for the project.
  • 6,300 VPD: The estimated traffic volume at the subject crossing as of 1998.
  • 10%: The estimated percentage of traffic volume that is heavy vehicles.
  • 2021: The year of the only property-only accident at the crossing since 1975.
  • 2023: The year in which there were 2 through trains and 2 switching trains per day using the crossing at a maximum timetable speed of 20 MPH.
  • February 18, 2025: The date on which the Commission granted BNSF's application.
  • March 1, 2025: The proposed start date for the project.
  • November 30, 2025: The proposed completion date for the project and the date by which BNSF is required to inform the Commission in writing that the work is complete.

Sources:

  • Decision No. C25-0111, issued by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission on February 18, 2025.
  • Commissioner's Weekly Meeting of February 12, 2025.

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