Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Transco to embark on $1 million project
 |
| An aerial view of Transco. |
OELWEIN – The city of Oelwein and Transco Railway are combining forces on a railroad line enhancement project designed to promote railcar traffic between Oelwein and Waterloo.
Transco Plant Manager Steve Masters gave a presentation on the proposed project at a council work session, which precluded the regular Monday night meeting. Several years ago, the Iowa Department of Transportation applied to the federal government on behalf of Transco for railway repair funds. At that time the city had no involvement in plans. Later, in 2005, the federal government approved $1 million for Transco to be drawn over five years.
Masters explained the company has entered into the final year to access the money and a 20 percent match must be put in by the recipient. He has asked the city to become the lead public agency for the DOT grant. In doing so, the city agreed to put up 10 percent of the matching funds required and will administer funds as they come in from the federal government.
Masters said the $1 million will be used to rehabilitate the eight-mile stretch of track from Unicorn Road (east of Hawkeye Renewables ethanol plant) to the Transco plant. Four miles of track are outside city limits and four miles are inside. He said the project is for railroad tie and ballast (rock bed) replacement, adding that he does not anticipate any steel rail replacement.
“The rehabilitation is for economic development to entice potential industries to relocate in Oelwein and utilize rail service,” Masters said. He explained that 14 miles of the line from west and south of Fairbank to Dewar were rehabilitated in 2005 when Hawkeye Renewables came onboard.
“Now the remaining eight miles will be upgraded,” Masters said.
When asked about the remaining 10 percent match required to complete the federal transportation grant requirements, Masters said he will present the project to the Fayette County Board of Supervisors for support at the county level as well.
“The good thing about the project is that no new rail is anticipated, which is costly,” he said. “Plans are to have a March 17 bid-letting and complete the project during the 2009 construction season.
Masters said Transco is finishing up three big contracts in the next year and working on acquiring more in 2009. So far, he says they are staying busy at the plant.
The council approved an agreement with TeKippe Engineers for the Seventh Street Southeast paving project, which extends from South Frederick east to Third Avenue Southeast. The project includes the railroad tracks just west of the Third Avenue corner. Lyle TeKippe explained that plans are to remove one set of tracks at that crossing. The cost of hiring TeKippe Engineers for the project is $50,112.
TeKippe proposed amending the agreement for the bike trail preliminary project concept and routing services at an additional charge of $4,800.
He also submitted a proposed contract for design and engineering for the Platts-to-Wings bike trail. The cost for hiring TeKippe Engineers for that project is $41,382 and the council approved that contract as well.
In other action, Todd’s Specialized Rigging went before the Zoning Board of Adjustment last week and the council received a recommendation from the board to rezone the TSR property at 1520 Rock Island Road from I-3 heavy industrial to C-2 highway commercial with a special exception request for a residence onsite. The council set a public hearing for 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, to consider the rezoning with special exception.
The council approved an OCAD request to close a portion of First Street Southwest on Saturday, Dec. 6, from noon to 2 p.m. for the Old Tyme Christmas fruitcake toss.
Oelwein resident Chuck DeTimmerman reported he has been in contact with the Union Pacific regarding railroad property clean up efforts. He said new growth has sprouted from the tree stumps that remained after last years clean up and it needs to be taken care of. DeTimmerman said officials at the corporate office are in agreement to cooperate in the clean up.
City Attorney Ron VanVeldhuizen reported on the matter of residential housing located in the old office space at the former DeKalb plant. He said he does not believe there is a legal precedence for the property owners to request special assessments with regard to zoning regulations. VanVeldhuizen explained he has visited with the property owners and explained the city’s position on this matter. He has given the owners until the end of the year to go through the application to resolve the situation. There are two apartments in the building, with one rented and one vacant.
The council entered into executive session to discuss pending litigation before adjourning. The next city council meeting will be 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at city hall. The meetings are open to the public.
Transco Plant Manager Steve Masters gave a presentation on the proposed project at a council work session, which precluded the regular Monday night meeting. Several years ago, the Iowa Department of Transportation applied to the federal government on behalf of Transco for railway repair funds. At that time the city had no involvement in plans. Later, in 2005, the federal government approved $1 million for Transco to be drawn over five years.
Masters explained the company has entered into the final year to access the money and a 20 percent match must be put in by the recipient. He has asked the city to become the lead public agency for the DOT grant. In doing so, the city agreed to put up 10 percent of the matching funds required and will administer funds as they come in from the federal government.
Masters said the $1 million will be used to rehabilitate the eight-mile stretch of track from Unicorn Road (east of Hawkeye Renewables ethanol plant) to the Transco plant. Four miles of track are outside city limits and four miles are inside. He said the project is for railroad tie and ballast (rock bed) replacement, adding that he does not anticipate any steel rail replacement.
“The rehabilitation is for economic development to entice potential industries to relocate in Oelwein and utilize rail service,” Masters said. He explained that 14 miles of the line from west and south of Fairbank to Dewar were rehabilitated in 2005 when Hawkeye Renewables came onboard.
“Now the remaining eight miles will be upgraded,” Masters said.
When asked about the remaining 10 percent match required to complete the federal transportation grant requirements, Masters said he will present the project to the Fayette County Board of Supervisors for support at the county level as well.
“The good thing about the project is that no new rail is anticipated, which is costly,” he said. “Plans are to have a March 17 bid-letting and complete the project during the 2009 construction season.
Masters said Transco is finishing up three big contracts in the next year and working on acquiring more in 2009. So far, he says they are staying busy at the plant.
The council approved an agreement with TeKippe Engineers for the Seventh Street Southeast paving project, which extends from South Frederick east to Third Avenue Southeast. The project includes the railroad tracks just west of the Third Avenue corner. Lyle TeKippe explained that plans are to remove one set of tracks at that crossing. The cost of hiring TeKippe Engineers for the project is $50,112.
TeKippe proposed amending the agreement for the bike trail preliminary project concept and routing services at an additional charge of $4,800.
He also submitted a proposed contract for design and engineering for the Platts-to-Wings bike trail. The cost for hiring TeKippe Engineers for that project is $41,382 and the council approved that contract as well.
In other action, Todd’s Specialized Rigging went before the Zoning Board of Adjustment last week and the council received a recommendation from the board to rezone the TSR property at 1520 Rock Island Road from I-3 heavy industrial to C-2 highway commercial with a special exception request for a residence onsite. The council set a public hearing for 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, to consider the rezoning with special exception.
The council approved an OCAD request to close a portion of First Street Southwest on Saturday, Dec. 6, from noon to 2 p.m. for the Old Tyme Christmas fruitcake toss.
Oelwein resident Chuck DeTimmerman reported he has been in contact with the Union Pacific regarding railroad property clean up efforts. He said new growth has sprouted from the tree stumps that remained after last years clean up and it needs to be taken care of. DeTimmerman said officials at the corporate office are in agreement to cooperate in the clean up.
City Attorney Ron VanVeldhuizen reported on the matter of residential housing located in the old office space at the former DeKalb plant. He said he does not believe there is a legal precedence for the property owners to request special assessments with regard to zoning regulations. VanVeldhuizen explained he has visited with the property owners and explained the city’s position on this matter. He has given the owners until the end of the year to go through the application to resolve the situation. There are two apartments in the building, with one rented and one vacant.
The council entered into executive session to discuss pending litigation before adjourning. The next city council meeting will be 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at city hall. The meetings are open to the public.
 |
 |
|
| An 'Amazing' Show | A second giant strawberry sprouts in Strawberry Point |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of communitynewspapergroup.com.
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
