RAILROAD TRACK CULVERT REPAIR COMPLETE

  

Work has been completed on the rebuilding of two 20-foot culverts beneath the railroad tracks near Old Gay Hill Road in northern Washington County. The first Burlington Northern Santa Fe train ran at 7 o'clock Tuesday morning.

Vincent Hensen with the Washington County Road and Bridge Department said work on replacing the culvert was completed sometime Monday after last week's storm had washed out support for the tracks. Hundreds of gravel trucks and heavy earth moving equipment were used in the job, causing serious damage in spots to Old Gay Hill Road and Pledger Road. The stop sign at the intersection of Pledger Road and Highway 36 North was knocked down by the trucks, and has yet to be replaced.

Washington County Commissioner Kirk Hannath says besides the roads, some private property was also damaged by the trucks working for BNSF. Hannath says he and the County are working with the railroad to have the repairs paid for by BNSF. He says an agreement for compensation is in the works.

Hannath says that the roads will be repaired as quickly as possible.