Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ashland faces much higher costs, trade-offs for federally funded railroad underpass project
Summary
City Administrator Jessica Quady told the Ashland City Council that NDOT now estimates the federally funded railroad underpass could cost three to four times earlier projections; the council was asked whether to proceed knowing engineering and railroad coordination may require millions in local matching funds.
City Administrator Jessica Quady told the Ashland City Council on Jan. 5 that a railroad underpass project for Silver Street, for which the city secured congressional funding, faces sharply higher cost estimates and uncertain obligations.
Quady said the city requested $1,210,000 in congressional funding with a local match of roughly $400,000 and that the funds were awarded, but that the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), which is administering the federal funds, now estimates total project costs could be three to four times the original estimate because of complexities with railroad coordination and construction. Quady said engineering for the project would be a city cost and that coordination with the railroad could require train stoppages for which the city might need to pay.
NDOT has given the city a deadline to decide whether to move forward and obligate funds; Quady said NDOT will ask the Federal Highway administration whether the initial award can be used for engineering and whether additional congressional funding could be pursued for construction. Quady also presented lower‑cost alternatives suggested by the city engineer, including building an overpass parallel to the tracks, constructing a structure over the tracks, or reconfiguring Silver Street (making a portion one‑way and repurposing a lane for pedestrians or using signal controls).
Council President Chuck Niemeyer raised concerns that the project would not resolve constraints on the roadway approaches to the underpass. City Attorney Mark Fahleson suggested the council involve the federal delegation because the railroad may be more responsive to federal representatives.
Council members did not make a final commitment at the meeting. Quady said the city has not yet reengaged the federal delegation while awaiting clarification from Federal Highway and NDOT; NDOT will report back on whether the existing award can be applied to design work and on options for seeking additional construction funds. The council directed staff to continue pursuing information so it can decide whether to commit local funds.
