Colorado Public Utilities Commission Approves New Highway-Rail Crossing and Abolishes Existing One

Strategic Insights -

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has granted an application by the City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County to close the existing highway-rail crossing at Royer Street and construct a new at-grade crossing named Twin Bridges Road. The decision was made after reviewing the record in the matter and deeming the application complete within the meaning of § 40-6-109.5, C.R.S.

According to the Commission's decision, the existing Royer Street crossing has a high accident rate, with 26 documented highway-rail grade crossing accidents between 1975 and 2018, including seven injury accidents and 19 property damage only accidents. The new Twin Bridges Road will provide a safer crossing with flashing lights, gates, bells, constant warning time circuitry, and a new railroad signal bungalow. The total cost of the closure and new crossing is estimated at $11,618,604, with the City of Colorado Springs funding 100 percent of the costs and the new Twin Bridges Road crossing and Colorado Springs and El Paso County paying for the cost of the new roadway and crossing signal equipment.

The Commission found that good cause exists and that the requirements of public safety are met by granting the application, consistent with the above discussion. The order authorizes the Applicants to construct the new crossing at the intersection of Twin Bridges Road and E. Las Vegas Boulevard and to close the crossing of Royer Street by removal of the railroad crossing equipment, the crossing surface, and modifying the approaches.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has approved the application to close the existing highway-rail crossing at Royer Street and construct a new at-grade crossing named Twin Bridges Road.
  • The existing Royer Street crossing has a high accident rate, with 26 documented highway-rail grade crossing accidents between 1975 and 2018.
  • The new twin bridges road will provide a safer crossing with flashing lights, gates, bells, constant warning time circuitry, and a new railroad signal bungalow.
  • The total cost of the closure and new crossing is estimated at $11,618,604, with the City of Colorado Springs funding 100 percent of the costs.
  • The Commission found that good cause exists and that the requirements of public safety are met by granting the application.
  • The order authorizes the Applicants to construct the new crossing at the intersection of Twin Bridges Road and E. Las Vegas Boulevard and to close the crossing of Royer Street.
  • The Applicants are required to inform the Commission in writing when the project is complete within ten days of completion, with the letter to be provided by December 31, 2024.

Statistics:

  • 26 documented highway-rail grade crossing accidents between 1975 and 2018 at the existing Royer Street crossing.
  • 7 injury accidents and 19 property damage only accidents at the existing Royer Street crossing.
  • 22 trains per day traveling at a maximum timetable speed of 40 miles per hour (MPH) in the area.
  • 3,600 vehicles per day (VPD) using the existing Royer Street crossing.
  • 8,600 VPD in five years and 12,400 VPD in 20 years estimated at the new Twin Bridges Road crossing.
  • $11,618,604 estimated total cost of the closure and new crossing.

Sources:

  • Decision No. C23-0818, Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado, "In the Matter of the Application of the City of Colorado Springs and the County of El Paso for Authority to Abolish and Remove the Existing Highway-Rail Crossing and Associated Crossing Warning Devices at Royer Street and Tracks Managed by the BNSF Railway on Right-of-Way Owned by Union Pacific Railroad (USDOT No. 253109P), and Construct a New At-Grade Crossing Named Twin Bridges Road at Approximate M.P. 77.80 of the BNSF Railway/Union Pacific Railroad with Active Crossing Warning Devices in the City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County, State of Colorado."
  • § 40-6-109.5, C.R.S.
  • § 40-6-114, C.R.S.