Avon and Union Pacific go to Court

Avon is one step further along in being allowed to build two ground-level railroad crossings over the now existing Union Pacific tracks in town.  The crossing issue was appealed by Union Pacific on safety issues after announcing plans to run trains along the now inactive line through Avon to Minturn.

The Crossings will connect west Avon to Riverfront Village, a development of  Westin hotel rooms, shops, condos and a gondola to Beaver Creek.  If the Colorado Public Utilities Commission approves this, the cost of building two ground level gates with flashing lights will be about $200,000.  The State Agency will require Avon to submit plans for the crossing to Union Pacific for approval.  Larry Brooks, Avon Town Manager, and John Dunn, Attorney for the Town of Avon, are optimistic the approval will be granted  and plans will move the redevelopment along.

The burden of proof was on Union Pacific and the inherent danger of having pedestrians interface with trains.  Union Pacific was recommending an underground pedestrian crossing.  Having lived in an area where children and adults often ducked around crossing gates with ultimate fatalities, I am wondering what they are thinking.  Certainly if it was your son, daughter, parent or friend, who might foolishly underestimate the power of a train, you would wonder why Avon would play the odds and not put the pedestrian walkway in.  Just my opinion, but human life trumps cost.

Teri Lester, Eco-Broker  970-376-0779 tlester@vail.net

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