Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for Olathe City Council to address leading up to the Nov. 4 election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to Olathe residents.
Each day this week, we’re publishing the candidates’ responses to one question.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Train crossings: An issue the city council could tackle in coming years is what to do about the many at-grade railroad crossings, particularly in the western part of the city, that cause frequent traffic delays and frustrate motorists. The city recently approved a multi-year study to look into ways to potentially address the issue. What’s the best way for the city to approach this problem? What would you like to see done?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:
At-Large
Jeff Creighton
Improving the west rail line crossings are extremely important for the safety and ease of travel in the downtown area, as well as being necessary for the continued redevelopment that is occurring in the area. I strongly support, and am pleased that a study is underway to provide direction for how to proceed. This will be a very expensive project that will take time to plan and prepare for financially. From my understanding of rail traffic and the maximum grade that a train can climb, I believe that it will be unlikely that every crossing on the west tracks will be able to be raised or improved in a manner that is fiscally responsible. I look forward to seeing the recommendations of the study, but I think that it is important to recognize early on that only the most heavily traveled crossings may be able to be improved to allow unrestricted vehicular traffic.
Rob Olson
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Ward 4
Kevin Deneault
This is going to be a complex project, as evidenced by the need for a multi-year study. I’m not the expert who can specify exactly what the fix should be.
The reality is that Olathe has grown up around these fixed-grade crossings which were never engineered for the Olathe of today. (Spruce street isn’t cutting it)
We need to protect our investment in downtown Olathe by addressing these railroad crossings and the traffic congestion they create.
I’m ready to read these comprehensive studies and I look forward to inviting enthusiastic partners to the table with Olathe, so that we can create the best plan for Olathe’s residents.
Marge Vogt (incumbent)
Citizens have identified traffic and congestion management as a top priority for improvement, with at-grade railroad crossings being a significant contributing factor. Addressing these issues will require inclusion in the Capital Improvement Plan and appropriate budget allocation.
The City is fortunate to receive $1.75 million from the Federal Railroad Administration and $500,000 from BNSF to fund a railroad grade separation study covering nine roadway crossings. The study should include citizen outreach at multiple stages, ensuring public input is incorporated throughout.
The resulting report should provide alternative options, conceptual plans, renderings, and cost estimates. Project selection and prioritization should be guided by public input, engineering complexity, traffic volumes affected by existing grade separations, safety considerations, and long-term construction and maintenance costs. These projects will likely take many years to complete due to funding limitations, and all opportunities for grant support should be actively pursued.
