10/13/2026
BNSF Railroad Crossing on STH 25 in Nelson to Close October 26-30
The BNSF Railroad crossing on State Highway 25 (STH 25) in the Village of Nelson will be closed to all traffic beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026, and is expected to remain closed until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026.
Buffalo County was notified of the closure on a shortened timeline and is working diligently communicate impacts and minimize disruptions to residents, businesses, and emergency services.
The closure is being conducted at the request of BNSF Railway to allow crews to complete work at the crossing.
Under the current plan, emergency service vehicles will continue to have access through the crossing during the closure. However, the crossing will be closed to the general public, and motorists traveling between Wisconsin and Minnesota will need to use an alternate Mississippi River crossing.
The two nearest alternate river crossings are:
• Winona, Minnesota
• Red Wing, Minnesota
Motorists should plan ahead, expect significantly longer travel times, and adjust routes accordingly.
The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office and Buffalo County Emergency Management are working closely with local, state, and regional partners to help minimize disruptions to emergency services throughout the closure period. Agencies have been coordinating plans to ensure continued emergency response capability for residents and visitors.
"We recognize this closure will create an inconvenience for many travelers and businesses in the area. We appreciate the public's patience and understanding while this important work is completed."
Residents and travelers are encouraged to monitor local announcements and plan travel accordingly during the closure period. We will be providing updates related to this closure as we are notified.
