Grant money allocated for Ainsworth crossing

AINSWORTH — An project organized by Washington County, the city of Ainsworth and Canadian Pacific Railroad has been authorized for $58,000 in state funds. The grant will go to a railroad crossing improvement comanaged by all three entities, on Underwood Avenue, also known as Old Military Road.

The state DOT’s Highway-Railroad Grade Crossing Surface Repair Program — funded by Iowa’s road use tax dollars — covers 60% of awarded projects’ costs, leaving the remaining bill to split evenly between the railroad and local government entity. In the case of Underwood Avenue, the only crossing in town managed by both the city and county, that means a 20% contribution from CP, and 10% each from the city and county.

“It just so happens that, that particular railroad crossing, the center of the road … is the city limits,” Ainsworth City Clerk Cheryl Smith said. “Unfortunately, we’re not going to have that benefit on any other crossing.”

While the funding comes amid the railroad’s planned merger with Kansas City Southern, Smith said the grant application was submitted far in advance.

“We have been on this for several years,” she said. “It’s a waiting game.”

County Engineer Jacob Thorius said the work would make the grade crossing more even with new road pavement, and possible adjustments to the tracks themselves.

“Right now it’s a very rough crossing,” he said. “We’ll improve the overall crossing so it’s not as drastic of a bump. It’ll still be a little bit of a bump because you have to cross the rails, but not as drastic.”

An exact timetable is uncertain, according to Thorius, but the grant money is set to arrive in fiscal year 2024, meaning the work could come through in calendar years 2024 or 2025.

“In the short term, we understand that it’s a very rough crossing,” Thorius said. “But we are working with the railroad to try and make an improvement to be better in the long run. So we just urge people to drive with caution while they’re driving through there.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com