City staff told the Baker City Council on June 24 that Union Pacific Railroad has contested an ODOT closure order for the Carter Street pedestrian crossing, creating a separate legal dispute that could delay the broader quiet-zone project.

Staff said the closure order language follows Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) and assigns responsibility for fencing at the crossing to the city while obligating the railroad to remove items from its right-of-way. Union Pacific has objected to paying for removal work, arguing the cost should be part of the quiet-zone process. Because the parties did not agree, the matter proceeded to a hearing; staff said the earliest a judge’s ruling might be available is February 2026.

Union Pacific provided an estimate to the city of about $60,000 to remove the crossing elements, according to staff. City staff said historical estimates tend toward overestimation by the railroad, but noted that removing concrete between rails and related items could require tie replacement and other work that complicates costs.

Staff said donors and the quiet-zone project group will meet to review scenarios, and councilors discussed whether removing Carter Street from the quiet-zone package would simplify the process. Staff cautioned that even if Carter Street were withdrawn, mitigation or closure would still be necessary to meet quiet-zone certification requirements.

Councilors were told the draft full agreement with Union Pacific is near complete but advancement of the overall quiet-zone project remains contingent on resolving the Carter Street dispute or reaching a settlement. Staff said they will update council after a scheduled meeting with donors and interested parties.