Why the Historic Fort Collins Train Needs to be Relocated.
The fact that 8 people have been killed by the train that runs through the main drag of Fort Collins, Colorado, means that we should make a change.
The most recent accident was on Feb. 7, 2019 when a man was struck and killed by the train. The incident shut down many major intersections for more than three hours while authorities investigated the accident.
This accident was horrible for the person who was killed and for the bystanders who witnessed it, and it’s a concern for the community as well when emergency vehicles can’t get access through a large part of town for hours. The blockage is an issue for emergency vehicles, and the community who all can’t get through those major roads.
The constant noise of the train and its horn is affecting businesses and housing as well. The obnoxious train noise is not enticing to live next to and businesses especially particularly in old town, are affected when the train goes by and many places have lost business due to this issue. In an effort to quiet the train, there have been many attempts at making quiet zones throughout the trains journey through town, however none have been successful.
However, we mustn’t forget the trains historical implications as it dates back to 1877. It was a pivotal aspect in what was known then as Camp Collins. The Colorado Central Railroad helped this small town become a thriving agricultural center. The train helped create Camp Collins into an epicenter of trading, shipping and manufacturing.
Nevertheless, Fort Collins isn’t as mellow and slow paced as it used to be with its ever-growing population, and the train is becoming more of an inconvenience than a convenience. The area is growing rapidly at 2% per year, and its growth rate is outpacing the state and county rate.
There may undoubtedly be a historical and unique aspect about the train that adds to the character of this place that Fort Collins is known for. Not many suburban areas located near the foothills have a train that runs throughout the town. And not many can say that they were once a military fort that became the beautiful city it is today. However, history is in the past and we must make changes to grow at the same rate that our city is growing. We must make changes especially when those changes mean saving lives, and making them better.
By moving the train to a less centralized location we may find a little less history in the town, but may we find more peace on the streets, in our neighborhoods and businesses.
