Lake County officials signed off on a deal with the state DOT that comes with a surprise price tag. During Tuesday’s commission meeting, the county approved an agreement for the replacement of a railroad crossing. The project, led by BNSF Railway, will replace the highway-rail grade crossing on 464th Avenue, North of Chester. It will include the installation of one hundred fifty-two feet of concrete crossing surface, new mast flashers, and other signal equipment.
Most of the $324,000 cost is covered by federal funds—but the county’s share wasn’t in the budget. The county will need to pay at least $34,500 for a railroad crossing upgrade north of Chester—plus another $10,000 to $12,000 for road work that wasn’t originally planned.
The project is not expected to begin until fall of 2026 or spring of 2027.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the commission approved the second reading for an ordinance, amending comprehensive zoning regulations for the county.
Commissioners also approved the resignation of longtime highway department employee Mike O’Connell.
