Three Hastings railroad crossings reopen after 'Quiet Crossing' construction work

HASTINGS, Neb. – Upgraded railroad crossings at three intersections in Hastings, part of on ongoing city project, are now open after completed construction.

The city of Hastings announced Wednesday that the California, Denver, and Lincoln Ave. crossings, just north of downtown, reopened on Tuesday. 

Work on the three crossings began in early May, part of the city's Quiet Crossing project. 

The work included driveway, pavement and sidewalk removals and then new concrete driveways, paving and sidewalks.

BNSF replaced the railroad tracks through the crossing and upgraded from wooden crossing planks to concrete crossing pads.

Finally, a BNSF contractor placed asphalt between the new concrete pavement and the new railroad crossing.

Medians were built in advance of the railroad crossings as a supplemental safety measure as part of a quiet zone designation.

The medians are a physical barrier that restricts driver access to the opposing lane, and discourages motorists from driving around the crossing arm or gate.

The medians at the California Avenue crossing were also built with as a physical barrier using the vertical panels as an additional visual barrier to improve the visibility of the median.

Phase 3 of the project will see construction on the Colorado Avenue and Elm Avenue crossings, but does not yet have a starting date.