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  • County-owned railroad tracks provide the only rail service in Sibley County, including to the ethanol plant in Winthrop. A long-range effort to upgrade the decrepit tracks has made progress, but the five counties that own the line are seeking $15 million in state bonding money to continue the work. File photo

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January 16, 2012

Sibley County bonding bill request would continue work on railroad, lake

By Mark Fischenich Free Press Staff Writer

In Sibley County, they’ve been working on the railroad for years and preparing to work on the lake for nearly as long. Now, they’re looking for $16 million from the state bonding bill to make further progress on both.

The county’s only railroad is continuing its long-range effort to rehabilitate an old and decrepit set of tracks. And it’s hoping the state comes through with $15 million this year and equal amounts in 2014 and 2016.

In Gaylord, a detailed study of the sources of pollution in Lake Titloe has been completed but the city is hoping to replace an aging dam before tackling the clean-up.

Rep. Terry Morrow, whose district includes Gaylord, will be supporting the inclusion of both proposals in the list of construction projects the Legislature is expected to pass by spring. The St. Peter Democrat thinks the Sibley County projects will fit even conservative standards for what should be included.

“I hope reasonable minds will agree that the state should keep up the investment in public works,” Morrow said.

The Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority, made up of the five counties served by the 95-mile short-line railroad, is one of just a handful of publicly owned rail lines in the state.

Sibley County officials consider the line vital to the economies of towns along the tracks, including Gaylord, Winthrop, Gibbon, Arlington and Green Isle.

Nearly $29 million in previously authorized state and federal funds have upgraded about 30 miles of track, reaching from the southwestern metro area to west of Winthrop. Additional funding will be focused on the stretch from west of Winthrop to Gibbon and on to Fairfax, according to the MVRRA’s application.

The MVRRA is looking for $45 million over the next three bonding bills, which are typically passed in even-numbered years.

Improving the rail allows for longer trains that can travel at 25 mph rather than the 10 mph limit on much of the older track. The line serves the Heartland Corn Products ethanol plant in Winthrop, several other industrial and mining customers, and numerous grain elevators.

Lawmakers will also be asked to contribute $969,000 to replace the dam on the outlet of Lake Titloe in Gaylord, which is in very poor condition and needs immediate replacement, according to the city’s application. The new 100-foot dam would allow water flow to be controlled and enhance upcoming efforts to clean up the lake.

“The dam is a big part of the concern,” Morrow said.

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