Funding of $750,000 will improve level crossings across Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MN DOT) Rail Safety Office has announced plans for significant improvements to five railroad level crossings on the Northern Lines Railway (NLR) network, specifically in St. Cloud and Waite Park.

The state has designated approximately $750,000 for the project, using a mix of state and federal funds. Work on three of the level crossings is scheduled for 2018, and the other two will be completed during 2019.

A subsidiary of Chicago-based Anacostia Rail Holdings, NLR operates on approximately 25 miles of track in the St. Cloud area, serving a variety of aggregate, agricultural and manufacturing customers, linking them with the national rail system via connections with BNSF Railway.

“We’re very pleased to partner with the state on these important upgrades,” says NLR President, Justin Chalich. “This underscores our strong commitment to safety, for both our employees and the public we serve.”

The level crossing projects include replacing the existing signal system on 2nd Avenue N. in Waite Park with new flashing lights and gates, and the existing signal system on Ridgewood Road in St. Cloud with new lights, gates and cantilevers.

Also included is the upgrade of the existing signal system on Saukview Drive in Waite Park, using relocated equipment from the Lincoln Avenue N.E. crossing in St. Cloud, the upgrade of the crossing at 10th Avenue S. in Waite Park using relocated equipment from the U.S. 10 crossing in St. Cloud and the upgrade of the crossing at 28th Avenue S. in Waite Park with new LED lights.

A MN DOT official has stated that each project should be completed within 12 months of its commencement date.