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Metro COG outlines regional rail‑crossing needs and long‑term options for Cass County
Summary
Metro COG presented a multi‑jurisdiction rail crossings study identifying 15 locations, funded in part by BNSF’s local match and performed by HDR; presenters emphasized the study is high‑level and long‑term, with no action requested from the board.
Metro COG officials presented a regional rail‑crossings needs study to the Cass County Board of Commissioners, summarizing identified locations, public engagement and preferred alternatives while advising the board that no formal action was required.
Ben Griffin, Metro COG director, said BNSF approached local jurisdictions about the need for a comprehensive study and agreed to provide the local match. He introduced HDR as the consultant selected to carry out the work and turned the presentation over to project manager Dan Bergeson, who said the study identified 15 locations across jurisdictions including Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead and Dilworth and summarized the public engagement program.
Bergeson described preferred alternatives at several sites, including a realignment near 40th Avenue/93rd Street to consolidate adjacent crossings and an option tied to a potential interchange on the 26th Street corridor in West Fargo that could accommodate a future grade separation. On the West Metro perimeter / Harwood connection, he said the concept could remove truck traffic from County Road 22 and include a grade separation near the school but emphasized the analysis is high‑level and long‑term.
Commissioners pressed for context about origins, costs and timing. One commissioner described the Harwood/interchange concept as having a 20‑to‑40‑year planning horizon; Metro COG reiterated the study is intended to set priorities and inform future funding opportunities rather than obligate the county to immediate construction or funding. Metro COG told the board the public comment period had closed recently and that the study should be complete before the end of the year.
No action was requested or taken by the board on the Metro COG study during the public meeting.
