Focus Area: Infrastructure (Engineering)
Staff Contact: Mary Jaeger / Nate Baldwin
Subject: Agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration for obligation of Railroad Crossing Elimination grant funds for the BNSF West Track Separation Preliminary Engineering Project, PN 3-C-029-24.
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TITLE:
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Consideration of an Agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration for obligation of Railroad Crossing Elimination grant funds for the BNSF West Track Separation Preliminary Engineering Project, PN 3-C-029-24.
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Summary:
The City of Olathe is bisected by the BNSF Emporia Subdivision, which runs north and south at-grade through downtown Olathe. There are eight at-grade crossings and one low clearance crossing of these railroad tracks, each presenting a unique set of challenges to the City and its residents. The BNSF railroad tracks act as a major east-west barrier with the City, preventing the free flow of traffic and compounding safety issues for all modes of transportation. This project will provide conceptual engineering of grade separated railroad crossings along these railroad tracks to improve the reliability of east-west travel time in western Olathe.
On January 10, 2025, the City of Olathe was notified that we were selected for an an award of $1,750,000 from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) program for the BNSF West Track Separation Preliminary Engineering project. Since that time, City staff has met with the FRA to discuss the requirements associated with the grant. In order for funding obligation, the City must approve an Agreement with the FRA.
Preliminary engineering design is tentatively scheduled to begin in Fall 2025.
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Financial Impact:
Funding for the BNSF West Track Separation Preliminary Engineering Project, includes:
GO Bonds $ 500,000
RCE Grant $1,750,000
BNSF $ 100,000
Total $2,350,000
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Action Needed:
Approval of an Agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration for obligation of Railroad Crossing Elimination grant funds for the BNSF West Track Separation Preliminary Engineering Project, PN 3-C-029-24.
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Attachment(s):
A. Agreement