Lake Elmo council approves ad for bids on Village Parkway Union Pacific Railroad crossing

Lake Elmo City Council members voted Jan. 21 to approve plans and specifications and order the advertisement for bids for the Village Parkway Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) crossing improvements, with staff and council members saying the city will return with financing details before any award is made.

The measure, resolution 2025-010, directs staff to advertise for construction bids for a crossing that will include signal arms, a trail on one side and a sidewalk on the other, and a directional-drilled water main beneath the railroad. The council approved the bid advertisement by voice vote; no members opposed.

Council members said the crossing has been in planning documents for years and that the city won an administrative ruling from the Minnesota Department of Transportation to proceed after Union Pacific initially denied the permit. Jack, a city staff member, told the council the plans and specifications were completed several years ago and that the city now is seeking contractor bids; staff expect to return in March with a recommendation…