Joco Today

Representative Sharice Davids announced the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded the City of Olathe $17,987,495 to eliminate a rail crossing and build a road overpass, decreasing traffic accidents and improving travel times. The project, supported through the bipartisan infrastructure law’s Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program, is part of the larger 119th St. Expansion Project. Davids, a member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was the only member of the Kansas delegation to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure law. 

According to the FRA, in 2019, there were more than 2,000 collisions at railroad crossings in the United States, with 290 preventable fatalities. By eliminating this at-grade rail crossing in Olathe, motorists and pedestrians traveling through the city will have a safer commute to work, school, and home. But not only will safety improve, but also commute times, as motorists will no longer need to slow down to cross or wait as trains pass, decreasing congestion. Specifically, the new overpass will provide:

• A safer route to schools and work,
• A new pedestrian and bicycle sidewalk to the Gary Haller Trail system,
• A direct connection between I-35 and KS State Highway 7. 

“Far too many accidents occur at rail crossings, including right here in our community,” said Davids. “The fatalities that follow are preventable, and thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law, folks traveling to work or school will no longer have to cross this rail junction on 119th Street. But not only will this project improve safety, it will also decrease commute times and provide a new sidewalk so Kansans can enjoy the Gary Haller Trail. This is just one more example of how the bipartisan infrastructure law is benefitting our community.” 

“East/west travel in Olathe remains a top citizen priority that the City of Olathe is continuously working to improve,” said Tim Danneberg, Director of External Affairs, City of Olathe. “The 119th St. extension project will improve east/west traffic flow and safety while creating another train free route in Olathe. This funding will help this critical project across the finish line, overcoming rising construction costs due to inflation.” 

“The Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program is another critical tool that FRA is using to make a lasting impact on the safety and transportation needs of communities nationwide,” said Amit Bose, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration. “With these project selections and the many more that are to come, we will save lives and reshape infrastructure in ways that allow individuals to move through their neighborhoods seamlessly and safely.” 

The bipartisan infrastructure law, which is paid for through a combination of new revenues and savings, has been called the most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in at least a decade by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Its RCE Program provides funding for rail crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods. The City of Olathe and the Johnson County Assistance Road System fund will contribute a 53 percent non-Federal match to the project announced today. 

“The western BNSF railroad tracks in Olathe are some of the busiest tracks in the country, with between 68 and 88 trains passing through per day,” Danneberg continued. “Eliminating an at-grade crossing at Woodland Road and replacing it with the 119th Street flyover connection will ensure Olathe residents have a reliable, consistent, safe, and train-free route for north/south travel while providing another east/west connection for the City.”

Original source can be found here.