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Council OKs $4.57 million construction agreement with Northwest Railway Museum for four railroad crossings
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Summary
The City Council approved a resolution authorizing the Northwest Railway Museum to lead construction on four railroad crossings in North Bend, with a not-to-exceed construction contract of $4,571,276 and no local match. Work is tentatively scheduled to start in October 2025.
The North Bend City Council voted to approve AB 25-106, a resolution authorizing an agreement with the Northwest Railway Museum to construct and manage improvements to four railroad crossings within the city. The council approved the measure unanimously on Oct. 7, 2025.
The project, described by a city staff presenter, covers replacement of four existing crossings at the west end of town on North Bend Way, Northwest Eighth Street (just south of North Bend Way), Bendigo Boulevard and the Main Street crossing downtown. The work also includes relocating a section of track between Bendigo and Main Street approximately 14 feet to the south to make room for a future McClellan Avenue project scheduled for 2027–28 contingent on outside funding.
Tom Moore, a city staff member who presented the item, said the Northwest Railway Museum will select and manage the contractor, make direct payments to the contractor and submit the federal reimbursement paperwork; the museum will be a subrecipient of the federal grant administered through the city. Moore told council that the city will provide construction inspection and will submit reimbursement requests for the federal funds. He said the construction-phase contract amount is not to exceed $4,571,276 and that there is no local match required.
Council member Heather Colon asked how downtown businesses had reacted; Moore said staff and museum representatives (Brie) had met with most downtown businesses and reported generally positive feedback and questions about project details. Council member Collin, who moved approval, said the project will “help our town make it safer, provide more parking spots, get ready for the McClellan Alley project, and moving the tracks will be huge for the city.” Alan Gothel seconded the motion. Mayor Pro Tem Mark Jocelyn presided.
The council approved the resolution by a unanimous vote. City staff said traffic-control plan reviews and scheduling were underway and that work was tentatively scheduled to begin in October 2025.
The agreement follows a Transportation Improvement Program project and was recommended for the main agenda by the city’s Transportation and Public Works committee.
