Redesign could eliminate need for railroad crossing near Green Isle
December 3rd, 2009Sibley County Public Works is hoping to eliminate the need for a railroad crossing gate by redesigning the intersection of CR 11 with Highway 5 near Green Isle.
Darin Mielke, Public Works Director, said that his office has received $250,000 from the federal government to redesign the intersection of CR 11 and Highway 5. This project is planned to coincide with the upgrade of the Minnesota Prairie Line.
Mielke said that plans are to install a 45 mph westerly curve so CR 11 will line up with the current intersection of Highway 5 and CR 15.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation supports the realignment of the road, Mielke said. Green Isle is also supportive, as long as the county leaves the existing CR 11 for access.
Realigning the road would provide more unobstructed visibility at the railroad crossing, hopefully eliminating the need for a gated crossing.
In addition, Sibley County was also awarded $150,000 from the federal government to realign CR 12, east of Arlington, with Highway 5. Plans are to create a 30 mph curve coming into Highway 5, Mielke said.
In other business, the County Board:
• Was informed that the CSAH 2 grading project north of Gibbon has been completed. The final paperwork is waiting to be completed. Seeding has also been completed.
• Learned that paving has been completed on the CSAH 8 box culvert project near Lafayette.
• Was informed that in the County’s contract with SEH for the comprehensive plan, there was a cap for the amount that was paid. County Attorney Dave Schauer looked into the issue.
• Approved the final payment of $51,649.92 to Wm. Mueller & Sons, Inc. for the 2009 bituminous overlay project. The final project cost was $1,032,998.42, which was 2% under the original contract amount of $1,047,057.80. Mielke said the cost was less than anticipated because less bituminous was needed.
