Waterline dig at downtown intersection unearths century-old history

Caption: A train pulls into the Main Depot at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and 4^th Street in Loveland, Colorado, circa early 1900s. Photo courtesy Loveland Museum Collection.When the train rolled through Loveland in the early 1900’s, an important stop was the main railway depot at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and 4th Street. There, on a side track along the adjacent Loveland Feed & Grain Mill, workers would load railcars with wheat and flour to ship across the country.

At the time, Loveland was a booming agricultural hub in northern Colorado, and laborers came alone or with their families from all parts of the country to plant and harvest crops like wheat, beets and cherries. Many stayed to call Loveland home, contributing to the town’s expansion.

As Loveland grew, so too did the need for water.

Caption: 1920 winter snow scene of people gathered by train cars at the Main Depot at the intersection of Railroad and 4^th in Loveland, Colorado. Photo courtesy Loveland Museum Collection.

Out with the old. In with the new.

Beginning in February 2026, City of Loveland Utilities will replace a century-old, 10-inch, cast-iron water pipe beneath the tracks at Railroad and 4th with a new 12-inch PVC pipe, set within a larger steel casing for protection. The older pipe, buried a mere four feet below and across the railway tracks, has supplied water to the residents and businesses of Fourth Street since 1924—from serving a population of around 5,600 to 85,000 people today.

“Our water distribution system is like a grid, with multiple points of connections going in different directions,” said Donald Cecil, city engineer with the Utilities Department and project lead. “The new pipe maintains a critical point in the line so that water can continue to flow through downtown from east to west. Resilient and built to last, the pipe will bring increased capacity and pressure and improved quality to the community’s drinking water.”

He added that the advantage of a grid system is that if there is a leak on a specific section of water main, then Utilities crew can isolate that section and serve surrounding areas from another direction.

The construction is part of an ambitious downtown renovation project called the 4th Street Revitalization Project, the first phase of the comprehensive Heart Improvement Plan (HIP Streets) that centers on upgrading and improving deteriorating infrastructure such as utilities, roads and sidewalks in the “heart” of downtown Loveland.

The waterline work at Railroad and 4th is unique because it involves boring pipe underneath an operating railroad track with many different entities involved including city, state and even federal agencies, including Utilities, Public Works, the Downtown Development Authority and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway, the owner of the railroad.

“The project is complex because each entity has a different set of criteria that must be met,” said Cecil. “Above all, we want to ensure that our construction agreements support railway operations and safety, and this brings layers of coordination and precaution.”

Caption: The 1924 waterline at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and 4^th Street is predated by an even older waterline. In 1887, Loveland taxpayers voted to fund the construction of a six-inch waterline downtown with a $40,000 bond. Sanborn Insurance Maps from the era show downtown Loveland before (1886, left) and after (1890, right) the waterline installation, represented by dotted lines. The inset, right, outlined in red, highlights the Main Depot at the intersection.

A delicate operation

The pipe installation brings several engineering challenges given the proximity to the train tracks. The work involves digging a tunnel beneath the tracks, disconnecting the older pipe and laying 150 feet of new pipe. However, the Railway’s right-of-way from the City of Loveland includes the tracks and approximately 50 feet of land on either side. (A right-of-way is the legal right to use or operate on land owned by another entity, in this case, City of Loveland.) How does the crew reach the pipe to make the swap without jeopardizing the right-of-way or structural integrity of the train tracks?

Workers will lay the new pipe and steel casing at a depth of 11 feet, a distance determined to be safe by BNSF. To reach this elevation and stay outside the right-of-way, they’ll excavate a 35 x 12 feet pit at around 150 feet from the train tracks. Using an augur (spiral drill), they’ll bore through the subsurface from east to west and, using the same drill, pull out the remaining raw material. The casing and pipe will then be pushed through, but the existing pipe will remain in place—pumped with concrete and capped at either end to avoid leaving an empty space in the earth and the risk of the tracks settling.

Caption: Construction map view shows aerial view of the location of the new waterline pipe relative to the railroad tracks at the intersection of Railroad and 4^th, Loveland Colorado. Knowing what’s beneath the earth before construction starts is an important consideration.

“We’re dealing with geological formations that were created at different periods of time,” said Cecil. “We need to anticipate the subsurface conditions as much as possible so that we’re not drilling through materials that could damage our equipment or bring unexpected results. Whether we encounter clay or bedrock, consistency is key.”

By potholing in advance, the crew can determine what they’re up against. This involves digging six-inch diameter holes and vacuuming out all the material down to the depth of where the waterline will be. Used in combination with radio listening devices and analyzing old utility maps, this preliminary work gives accurate information about what’s underground, which saves time and money and reduces unforeseen risks.

As for the condition of the century-old pipe?

“We’ll find out how well it’s held up,” said Cecil.

Construction updates: What to expect

To complete the improvements, various lane shifts and full intersection closures will be necessary throughout the construction period. Railroad Avenue (east) will be intermittently closed through November 2026. Railroad Avenue (west) will be closed through March, with additional temporary closures pending permits from the Railway and final utility connections on the block to the west.

Commuters and pedestrians are encouraged to stay alert to construction and detour signage to safely navigate the area. For current updates on the project, visit: letstalkloveland.org.

Watch the video to see the work in progress and for more details.

As with the other blocks on 4th Street being renovated, the new waterline, street curbs, storm drains and related improvements at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and 4th Street are designed to bring resilience to downtown Loveland into the next century!

Caption: Underground excavation and bore on Railroad Avenue prepares for the installation of a new 12-inch water pipe in downtown Loveland, Colorado.