Supervisors Discuss Costs of Anselmo Railroad Crossing

Supervisors Discuss Costs of Anselmo Railroad Crossing
Aerial view of The Andersons, Inc. at 81244 Road 429, Anselmo, NE 68813

CUSTER COUNTY–After approximately seven years of research and discussion, another step has been taken by the Custer County Board of Supervisors regarding the railroad crossing near The Andersons, Inc. grain elevator in Anselmo.

In a May 2018 article, KCNI/KBBN reported that past discussions of the railroad crossing near Road #429  included concerns of dangerous conditions and low visibility for drivers. Don Cantrell with the Custer County Corn Growers said in past meetings that the railroad tracks are too close to the highway and that the crossing is currently at a 45-degree angle with Highway 2. He has been working with state and county officials, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), and BNSF railway trying to increase the safety of the crossing.

Estimated costs of the railroad crossing were presented during Tuesday’s supervisors meeting with a total estimated cost of $190,654. The estimate includes Miller and Associates estimate of concrete and dirtwork, cement pads in rails, Custer County’s share of the cross arms, and Custer Public Power District’s estimate of relocating power line. The estimate also takes into consideration the amount BNSF and NDOT are willing to pay for closing the crossing for work to be done. The cross arms and lights costs $400,000 and Custer County’s share will be $20,000, which is 5%.

Motions by Supervisor Don Olson were made for the county to split the cost with The Andersons, and for Don Cantrell–on behalf of the Custer County Corn Growers–to request half of the total cost ($95,327) from The Andersons, Inc. Both motions were approved and the board discussed needing to provide and update to NDOT in less than 30 days.

“If it saves one life in Custer County it’s worth it,” Supervisor Don Olson said in a discussion emphasizing the dangers surrounding the current railroad crossing.

Stay tuned for more details from Tuesday morning’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

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