Northern Lines Railway obtains Minnesota funds for grade crossing projects

The Minnesota Department of Transportation's Rail Safety Office has designated $750,000 to improve five grade crossings on Northern Lines Railway's (NLR) route in St. Cloud and Waite Park.

The funding comes from a mix of state and federal dollars. Some work is scheduled for three crossings this year and two more in 2019, according to a press release issued by Anacostia Rail Holdings Co., NLR's parent.

NRL serves aggregate, agricultural and manufacturing customers on a 25-mile line in the St. Cloud area. The short line connects with BNSF Railway Co.'s network.

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

The grade crossing projects include:
• replacing the existing signal system on 2nd Avenue North in Waite Park with new flashing lights and gates;
• replacing the existing signal system on Ridgewood Road in St. Cloud with new flashing lights, gates and cantilevers;
• upgrading the existing signal system on Saukview Drive in Waite Park, using relocated equipment from the Lincoln Avenue Northeast crossing in St. Cloud;
• upgrading the crossing at 10th Avenue South in Waite Park using relocated equipment from the U.S. 10 crossing in St. Cloud; and
• upgrading the crossing at 28th Avenue South in Waite Park with new LED lights.