Despite concerns about accepting future liability for closed rail crossings the East Grand Forks council appears ready to endorse a Quiet Zone project.
The city has been working with BNSF on easements…construction…and closure agreements. One of the larger projects is the removal of the street crossing at 3rd Street NW.
BNSF is asking the city to take on all future liability before they sign on the dotted line. City Attorney Ron Galstad says it’s sort of a “take it or leave it approach” that runs counter to an opinion by Minnesota’s attorney general. “From their standpoint they are not able to blow their horns or give notice. That’s why they are not…according to policy…in favor of quiet zones.
Mayor Steve Gander says closing 3rd Street NW is not going to make the crossing less safe. “The idea that they are going to put in a crossing that’s less safe than what’s there now is hogwash.”
The city is expected to hold a public hearing on the 3rd Street plan — and approve the needed BNSF documents at the April 2nd meeting.
The work would begin in June. A final completion date would run into the 2025 construction season.
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