State will provide $60,000 of $113,000 signal expense
March 30th, 2007How will the Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority and/or Sibley County pay to have a signal installed at the CSAH 2 railroad crossing in Gibbon?
The Regional Rail Authority, last week, learned that the bid for the signal was $113,000. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will only provide $60,000 toward the project.
The signal will be required because of the construction at South Central Grain and Energy in Gibbon. South Central’s project includes moving the sidetracks close to the main line, building two grain bins on the property, and constructing towers and catwalks across the main line. The construction will limit motorists’ line of sight.
Recently Sibley County Commissioners had agreed to fund 10% of the cost with municipal state aid.
Mark Wegner of the Minnesota Prairie Line said that the Minnesota Prairie Line will not help fund the signal unless there is a guarantee of carloads shipped from South Central Grain and Energy.
Gene Luetteke of South Central Grain and Energy asked that the Rail Authority and County “do the best possible.” He said that South Central Grain and Energy is prepared to pay toward the signal, but would like to have their contribution minimized as much as possible.
Redwood County Commissioner Gene Short said that instead of the Rail Authority making two $11,000 annual payments for past services provided by former Rail Authority Administrator Steve Renquist and Attorney Dave Schauer, that Sibley County use the money toward the signal.
In other business, the Rail Authority:
• Was informed by Attorney Dave Schauer that Jeff Wilken of Arlington was notified this month that the Rail Authority or its operator will be placing an obstruction to keep him from using the driveway to his house that is located in the railroad right-of-way. Arlington officials were notified and instructed to issue a ticket for trespass when they observe him using the railroad right-of-way for access to the garage. Wilken had been notified to no longer use the right-of-way by Sept. 30, 2006.
• Learned that the audit for 2006 will be postponed until fall because the Rail Authority did not receive any state or federal funds last year.
