In a memo to council, Clements wrote that Osmose had given the bridge a “Priority 2” condition, which means the condition is “unsafe and requires correction as soon as possible.”
If council opts not to fund the replacement ties, the railroad track would have to be closed, Clements said, because it would be unsafe.
In 2009, the city spent $310,000 for extensive repairs to two bridges on the track. These bridges at the two and five mile mark are not the same as the bridge currently needing repairs (the small length of track has five bridges in total).
An agreement to fix the track was reached two years ago only after heated debate among members of council and also with LM&M Railroad, currently the sole users of the track who operate a tourist ride on it. Several business leaders also pushed for the city to repair the track as they said LM&M brought tourists to the downtown area.
As part of the agreement to fix the track, LM&M agreed to pay an annual $5,250 usage fee plus 50 cent per rider, an agreement that netted the city $11,000 in 2010, according to city financial records.
Since 2009, the city has been saving $95,000 each year to help pay for maintenance to the track.
The city spent $72,400 on rail tie replacements in 2009 and $79,400 on rail tie replacements in 2010, Clements said. The city also received a $25,000 state grant for rail tie replacements in 2010.
Council will vote on the measure at its meeting Tuesday.
LM&M is on a scheduled hiatus, but plans to resume operations in April. If council approves the replacement at its next meeting, the repairs could be made in time to meet the planned opening date.
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