Charles City Bracket Street RR Crossing Upgraded, Work Underway at Lane/Iowa Crossing

The first of three railroad crossing improvement projects on Charles City’s north side is now complete. Though the Bracket Street project wasn’t originally planned to be first in line.

Mayor Dean Andrews says, to the City’s frustration, the North Grand Avenue railroad crossing was expected to be addressed first, but in May, it was learned that CPKC Railroad failed to order the crossing guard signals.

Andrews says the City hoped, given the extent of the work needed for the North Grand railroad crossing, that it would be done this summer before Washington Elementary School returned to classes.

Andrews says work on the North Grand railroad crossing now won’t start until late September/early October.

Andrews also expressed his frustration during Monday (07.06) night’s City Council meeting, while also stressing that the crossings are CPKC Railroad projects and not the City’s.

Cost of the crossing improvements are largely covered by the railroad and the Iowa DOT, with the City’s commitment around $200,000. 

Popp Excavating of Osage began working on the Lane/Iowa streets railroad crossing on Tuesday (07.07.26).