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Commissioners discuss joint crossing replacement with Union Pacific; county estimate roughly $72,000
Summary
County staff described a Union Pacific Railroad request to jointly replace a crossing on County State Highway 5 (3rd Avenue) and estimated the county's share of railroad work at about $72,000; commissioners also discussed safety concerns about trains blocking crossings and limits on enforcement due to federal preemption.
Public Works presented a request from Union Pacific Railroad to jointly replace a crossing on County State Highway 5 (3rd Avenue) next year. Staff said the county's estimated portion of the railroad work would be roughly $72,000 and that the county would also be responsible for traffic control and pavement patching consistent with past practice.
Commissioners and staff discussed safety concerns about trains sitting and blocking the crossing and noted past incidents in which emergency response was delayed. Staff described efforts to coordinate with the railroad, the city and law enforcement, and flagged a legal complication: state statutes criminalizing blocked crossings can be preempted by federal rail law, making enforcement and citation complex. No formal motion was taken during the discussion; staff said they would move forward with the railroad as agreements are brought forward.
