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Board authorizes public-works director to finalize agreements for $11.5M Highway 55 rail separation project
Summary
The county authorized its public-works director to sign necessary easements and agreements with BNSF and other parties to advance an $11.5 million Highway 55 highway-rail separation (overpass) project that is out for bid.
The Kandiyohi County Board on Sept. 16 passed a resolution authorizing the public-works director to execute agreements and easements needed to advance the Highway 55 highway-rail separation project in the southwest part of Willmar.
Assistant Engineer Jeremy Pfeiffer described the project as a roughly $11.5 million highway-rail separation effort and said it was out for bid with a Sept. 30 opening and a planned commissioner award on Oct. 7. The resolution authorizes Public Works Director Mel Owens to sign easements and agreements — including an aerial easement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) — to keep the project on schedule.
Funding and partners: Pfeiffer said the project’s current funding package includes a Federal Railroad Crossing elimination grant (largest share), local-option sales tax proceeds set aside by the county, a state IIJA grant of just under $2 million, and a $364,000 contribution from BNSF for crossing elimination work.
Why it matters: The highway-rail separation will remove an active crossing, improve traffic flow and is a major capital infrastructure project for the county and region. Commissioner comment emphasized community interest and the long development timeline to this point.
Board action: Commissioner Dale Anderson moved to approve resolution 2025-34 authorizing execution of agreements and easements; Commissioner Corky Berg seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: Project bidding continues; if bids are within budget the county will return Oct. 7 to consider award and construction schedules, and Public Works will finalize right-of-way matters and exhibits with BNSF and affected property owners.
