Davids Announces $4 Million Grant to Tackle Outdated Rail Crossings, Reduce Crash Risk for Kansas Drivers

Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced a $4 million investment in upgrades to Kansas rail crossings in Gardner, Olathe, and Spring Hill. The awards, which come from the Department of Transportation’s Rail Crossing Elimination Grant Program, were made possible by the Davids-backed bipartisan infrastructure law.

“The bipartisan infrastructure law is continuing to make a difference for Kansans and I’m thrilled that local governments in the Third District are taking advantage of the opportunities made possible by this historic law,” said Davids. “This grant means less traffic, fewer accidents, and safer roadways for the thousands of Kansans navigating these rail crossings when commuting to work, school, and home.”

The projects announced today will include the potential closing of at-grade crossings. By eliminating these crossings, motorists and pedestrians 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 projects include: 

• Gardner - Moonlight Road Grade Separation Planning Study: $536,000
  • The project aims to eliminate the at-grade crossing at Moonlight Road by developing and selecting a grade separation alternative to improve safety, reduce delays, and enhance mobility. 
• Olathe - Olathe West Track Rail Crossing Study: $1,750,000
  • The project will study eight at-grade crossings in Olathe, Kansas, to identify safety improvements like closures or grade separations.
• Spring Hill - Eastern Kansas Communities Rail Corridor At-Grade Crossing Elimination Plan: $1,720,000
  • The project will evaluate the potential closing of 12 at-grade crossings and explore a new grade-separated crossing along the BNSF Fort Scott Subdivision in Spring Hill, Fontana, and Fort Scott, all aimed at enhancing safety at dangerous crossings.

“The City of Gardner is grateful for the federal grant award from the Rail Crossing Elimination Grant Program, which will pay for a study that will develop grade separation alternatives and select a preferred alternative to mitigate the challenges that the Moonlight Road crossing imposes on the City of Gardner and BNSF,” said James Pruetting, City Administrator, City of Gardner. “ If the preferred alternative is constructed, this Project would benefit the Gardner community by improving safety; reducing travel delays for rail and vehicle traffic; and facilitating better access to jobs, schools, and emergency services.

Davids is the only member of the Kansas delegation to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure law, which was named the most fiscally responsible infrastructure law in at least a decade by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. More information on how the bipartisan infrastructure law is improving Kansas’ roads, bridges, water and safety can be found here.