Benton County Quiet Zone Project in Question After Cost Triples

SARTELL -- A planned quiet zone for a railroad crossing north of the old Sartell paper mill is in jeopardy after the cost to make the upgrades has tripled.

Benton County Engineer Chris Byrd says they were notified by the railroad that a small spur line at the County Road 55 crossing needed an upgraded warning system at a cost of nearly $94,000.  He says the two main line tracks already have the upgraded crossing and won't need the improvements.

Byrd says the original cost estimate was $55,000 to make road improvements at the crossing but the new requirement by the railroad tacks on the additional $94,000.

Byrd says they'll go back to Sauk Rapids Township and the city of Sartell to ask for direction because they are the ones who would pay for the quiet zone.