Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

West Burlington to Vote on Crossing

West Burlington could be on the hook for some unplanned street improvements.

City Administrator Dan Gifford says the Iowa Department of Transportation contacted the city about upgrading the railroad crossing at North Sunset Drive.

There are only a few homes on the dead-end street.

Gifford says the plan was to install flashing lights and gates at no cost to the city, but IDOT determined that the road was too narrow.

He says the burden of widening the road would normally fall on the city, but BNSF Railway has agreed to split the cost so the city would have to come up with $50,000 as opposed to $100,000.

The West Burlington City Council has yet to sign off on the project, pending review of an agreement between the city and the railroad.

Gifford says he is concerned about potential liability now that the crossing has been identified for safety improvements.

PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING

West Burlington’s new public works building appears to be back on track for completion this fall.

Dan Gifford says the project was delayed after portions of the pre-engineered building arrived in January, roughly two months behind schedule.

He says there were structural concerns that had to be resolved, prompting the delay.

Gifford says crews have been able to catch up since that time. 

The nearly $4-million facility is being built at the intersection of Mount Pleasant and Washington Streets.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.