There are three operating railroads within St. Louis County. They are the Canadian National Railroad, BNSF Railroad and the North Shore Scenic Railroad. There are approximately 130 railroad crossings on St. Louis County roads.
Railroad crossings demand respect. There are numerous crashes at railroad crossings each year in Minnesota, most of which are fatal. Tragically, all of these crashes were preventable if drivers obeyed the traffic control devices such as STOP signs or signalized gates.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is the authority for all at-grade railroad crossings in the state. St. Louis County works with the MnDOT and the respective railroad to complete safety improvements at railroad crossings identified as at-risk.
If you notice damaged traffic signs on the approach to a railroad crossing, or located at the railroad crossing, contact St. Louis County at 218-625-3830. If you notice the signalized gates are malfunctioning or any other emergency at a railroad crossing, please call the phone number written on signs posted at the railroad crossing.
St. Louis County completed a Railroad Crossing Safety Plan in June 2024. This plan prioritizes Railroad Crossing Safety projects on St. Louis County Roads. Project types include railroad crossing closures, railroad crossing consolidation and grade separation (bridges). Plan participants included St. Louis County, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Townships, Canadian National Railway (CN), BNSF Railway, North Shore Scenic Railroad, Consultants and Universities. Crossings were prioritized based on several risk factors, including Detour Lengths, Number of Crashes in the last 10 years and Number of Vehicles crossing each day. The Railroad Crossing Safety Plan will help prioritize safety projects and assist with applying for Federal Funding for the projects.
Railroad Crossing Safety Plan
Remember to stop at railroad crossings. Trains can't.
The importance of stopping at railroad crossings