Cullman drivers who regularly traverse the city’s northern railroad crossing at Arnold Street have probably noticed a significant change in their traffic flow this week thanks to the new addition of swing-arm gates aimed at reducing the chance of collision at the busy road-rail intersection.

In partnership with CSX, the city of Cullman has completed the installation of a four-quadrant gate barrier at the crossing, a busy area near U.S. Highway 31 routinely used by motorists to access Depot Park, the shops of the Warehouse District, and the trio of public Cullman City Schools that lie just a few blocks to the northeast.

The new safety system includes swinging gate arms for all four traffic quadrants at the crossing, creating a physical barrier that, when activated, prevents vehicles in each gated lane from entering the crossing and potentially colliding with a moving train. The city noted that the gate upgrade also features the implementation of constant warning time technology, which automatically recognizes the approach of a nearby rail vehicle and activates the gates for closure.

“This installation represents a crucial step forward in our ongoing efforts to improve public safety,” Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs said this week in a release. “The four-quadrant gate system provides an additional layer of protection for our residents and visitors, especially considering that this crossing previously lacked any gate arms.”

The upgrades represent the latest step in a larger city effort to establish a quiet zone corridor in Cullman’s downtown. The zone, intended to run in parallel with the railroad through a north-south span extending from 9th Street SE to 8th Street NE, “will allow trains to pass through without sounding their horns, except in emergency situations,” the city’s release stated.

“We’re excited about the positive impact this will have on our downtown area,” added Dale Greer, director of the Cullman Economic Development Agency. “The quiet zone will significantly enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses in the heart of our city, while maintaining the highest standards of safety.”