The Ray County Commission unanimously rejected a $1.2 million offer from the Missouri Highway Commission and BNSF Railroad to permanently close two grade-level railroad crossings, citing the importance of the routes for emergency flood response and the absence of any documented safety issues. The offer, which proposed the closure of crossings at Gill Road and Sand Pit Road in exchange for $600,000 each, was formally declined in a letter approved and signed by commissioners on April 30. The letter emphasized the crossings’ critical role in providing evacuation routes and access for emergency response efforts during frequent Missouri River flooding. “These crossings are vital for our residents and landowners, providing essential routes not only for evacuation during frequent flood events caused by the Missouri River, but also for a way to deliver manpower and supplies to fight a flooding river,” the letter read. “Closing these crossings would significantly hinder our community’s…