Bids opened for approaches to railroad crossing

scottw@standard-democrat.com

BENTON -- Scott County will get a safer railroad crossing at no cost to the county.

Bids for construction of improvements to the approaches of a railroad crossing located on County Road 411 were opened Tuesday during the County Commission's regular meeting.

With an offer to do the project for $79,212, Lappe Cement Finishing of Friedheim appears to be the low bidder, according to Norman Lambert of Lambert Engineering and Surveying.

The only other bid received for this project was $92,870 submitted by Kluesner Concrete of Scott City.

Road improvements will extend "about 100 feet on either side of the tracks," Lambert said. "They have to change the way the road lays a little bit. It's not a lot, but is necessary for safety reasons."

"It's not the crossing itself," said Commissioner Donnie Kiefer noted of the project.

Kiefer said the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission are splitting the cost of upgrading the crossing, including adding crossing gates and warning lights, and will also reimburse the county for the cost of improving the approaches.

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