Longmont, BNSF spar over pedestrian gates, flashers and quad gates at proposed Price/Boston rail crossing

An administrative law judge at the Public Utilities Commission held a remote prehearing conference June 6 to address remaining disputes between the City of Longmont and BNSF Railway over the proposed Price Avenue/Boston Avenue grade crossing in Longmont.

The city and railroad said most items are technical and close to resolution, but three larger disagreements remain: whether the crossing should include pedestrian swing gates, whether existing signal and flasher placement creates obstructed views for approaching motorists, and whether the crossing must retain a four-quadrant gate arrangement tied to an SSM Federal Railroad Administration application.

Brandon Dittman, counsel for the City of Longmont, said the city has worked to accommodate BNSF’s concerns and that "the public necessity of this crossing has been basically determined since last November." He told the commission the city is willing to make many design changes but is concerned that repeated design revisions could delay construction and, depending on the change, might require refiling the PUC application.

Caitlin Warner, counsel for BNSF, said the…