In response to a Feb. 11 article regarding the overpass/ crossing deliberations in Henrietta, this has been a sevenyear process to find a solution to the overpass that was condemned in 2015.

We have found that a new overpass would be cost-prohibitive, costing Ray County approximately $12 million. A more realistic solution is an at-grade-crossing at 1st and Main in the city of Henrietta. BNSF rail has entered discussions with the county and HSRD (Henrietta Special Road District) as to the process for opening a crossing. Federal regulations and BNSF’s policy for opening a crossing requires the closure of two.

HSRD has identified two crossings that we feel affect the least and benefit the most. There are plenty of solutions for access to adjacent landowners. Importantly, there are several farmer/landowners that are in favor of using these two crossings as candidates. HSRD realizes one of these crossings does not fall on a public road and takes no public traffic – it is a private crossing. HSRD has had an open process of determining these solutions through a series of meetings at the Ray County Commission office.

I will offer a few of the major reasons we need to get the crossing done...

• The existing overpass has been reopened in past floods such as 2019 for people to have quicker access in and out. The overpass is in a condition that it won’t serve for that purpose in future floods.

• A crossing right by the overpass at 1st and Main can happen right now. Law enforcement and other emergency equipment would be able to get to us faster.

• Richmond Special Road District’s hub is south of the tracks. They have an added hour of travel time every day.

• There were far more accidents on the overpass when it was Highway 13 than there were at the crossing at 1st and Main 80-plus years ago. Talks have started and this is a real solution. A new crossing at 1st and Main would have drop-down gates and signals, which the crossing at this location years ago did not have.

Aaron Hicks,

Henrietta Special Road District