There is hope for local motorists whose tortured tie rods and wilted wishbones have taken a pounding from Union Pacific Railroad grade crossings at Ash Mesa Road and B Road.

An amended agreement with the UPRR for replacement of the two dilapidated crossings was approved by the Board of County Commissioners last week.

The UPRR completed a big grade crossing upgrade project last year on its main line through the Gunnison Valley. The county had hoped to have the Ash Mesa and B Road crossing completed at the same time. But, explains the county engineering department, a railroad snafu on cost estimates and materials ordering problems led to the work delay.

A UPRR manager in Denver, Kelly Abaray, has told county engineers that the work is being scheduled for "this spring."

The incorrect cost estimate had to be recalculated by the railroad and then approved by the BoCC adding $4,300 to the $68,000 price for the two crossings.

Grade crossing improvements on the main line are paid for by the UPRR. The Ash Mesa/B Road line is a local spur which requires county funding for the work, explained the county engineering department's Bob Basher.

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