BNSF Railway Sealed Corridor Study - Wellington, Kansas Sealed Corridor Study Wellington, Kansas
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FRONT COVER BNSF Railway Sealed Corridor Study - Wellington, Kansas Sealed Corridor Study Wellington, Kansas BNSF Railway July 2019 The purpose of the study was to assess the potential for a sealed corridor along the BNSF corridor within the City of Wellington. The sealed corridor project was conducted with the intent of eliminating all at-grade crossings within the city limits with a focus on grade separation concepts and crossing closures. Factors considered throughout the process included safety, traffic flow, multimodal accommodations, economic development, and quality of life in order to better address overall mobility. The study area encompassed the City of Wellington but also expanded beyond the existing city limits in order to evaluate potential growth areas. Therefore, the study area included 14 highway-rail crossings (7 grade-separated crossings and 7 at-grade crossings). BNSF Railway Jeremy Wegner, Manager Public Projects - Kansas Lynn Leibfried, Assistant Director Public Projects Paul Cristina, Director Public-Private Partnerships City of Wellington Shane Shields, City Manager Jeremy Jones, Public Works Director Jason Newberry, Assistant City Manager for Utilities TranSystems Corporation Jamie Hamm, PE, Client Liaison Deanne Winkelmann, AICP, Project Manager Sara Clark, PE, Senior Engineer Brent Shimanek, PE, Engineer Nathaniel Abeita, EIT, Engineer-in-Training BNSF Railway Sealed Corridor Study - Wellington, Kansas | Page i Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 Study Purpose ................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Study Area ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Study Process ................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Existing Conditions ....................................................................................................................... 4 Document Review ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 Crossing Review ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 Community Input .......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Crossing Screening and Concept Development ........................................................................ 7 Crossing Screening ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 Concept Development ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Improvement Alternatives ......................................................................................................... 12 Improvement Scenarios ............................................................................................................................................. 12 Stakeholder Discussion .............................................................................................................................................. 12 Conclusion.................................................................................................................................... 14 Summary ........................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Next Steps .................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Appendix A: Crossing Inventory Appendix B: Meeting Summary Appendix C: Crossing Screening Appendix D: Improvement Concepts BNSF Railway Sealed Corridor Study - Wellington, Kansas | Page ii Introduction Since 1993, BNSF Railway (BNSF) has invested in the Southern Transcontinental (Transcon) corridor, which connects the West Coast with major markets such as Dallas/Fort Worth, Kansas City, and Chicago. As one of the most heavily traveled rail lines in the western United States, freight train volume has steadily increased and is expected to continue growing. To address safety and operational needs, BNSF has expressed interest in creating sealed corridors through some communities along the Southern Transcon corridor. A sealed corridor aims to improve or consolidate each highway-rail grade crossing along a rail segment. Study Purpose The purpose of the study was to assess the potential for a sealed corridor along the BNSF corridor within the City of Wellington. The sealed corridor study was conducted with the intent of eliminating all at-grade crossings within the city limits with a focus on grade separation concepts and crossing closures. Factors considered throughout the process included safety, traffic flow, multimodal accommodations, economic development, and quality of life in order to better address overall mobility. Study Area The study area encompassed the City of Wellington but also expanded beyond the existing city limits in order to evaluate potential growth areas. As outlined in Exhibit 1, the study area included 14 highway- rail crossings (7 grade-separated crossings and 7 at-grade crossings). The study area map is displayed in Exhibit 2. Two rail subdivisions converge in the City of Wellington. The east-west Panhandle subdivision and the north-south Emporia subdivision converge at the Wellington Yard. Both subdivisions are segments of the Southern Transcon corridor with nearly 60 trains per day. Study Process The report is organized into the following sections: . Existing Conditions: This section includes a document review, crossing inventory, and initial discussions with city stakeholders. The information provided a foundation for the study process and identified priorities that may influence improvements at each highway-rail crossing. Crossing Screening and Concept Development: This section includes an alternatives feasibility analysis to evaluate each highway-rail crossing in the study area for potential improvements. Then, a series of concepts were developed at key locations for consideration. Improvement Alternatives: This section includes a series of improvement scenarios for consideration by the city. Discussions with BNSF and city stakeholders are documented to determine next steps. BNSF Railway Sealed Corridor Study - Wellington, Kansas | Page 1 Exhibit 1A: Study Area - Emporia Subdivision U.S. DOT Crossing Warning Roadway ADT Street Name Number Type Device Classification 20th Avenue 009734G At-Grade Gates Rural Local 46 10th Avenue 009735N RR Under RR Over Rural Principal Arterial 4,170 Meridian Road 014169R RR Over RR Over Rural Local 85 Source: U.S. DOT Crossing Inventory, 2018 Exhibit 1B: Study Area - Panhandle Subdivision U.S. DOT Crossing Warning Roadway ADT Street Name Number Type Device Classification Fair Street 014171S RR Over RR Over Urban Local 1,145 Ash Street 014173F RR Over RR Over Urban Local 576 C Street 014174M At-Grade Gates Urban Local 245 Washington Avenue 014175U At-Grade Gates Urban Minor Arterial 575 Jefferson Avenue 014176B At-Grade Gates Urban Local 385 G Street 014180R At-Grade Gates Urban Local 50 H Street 014181X At-Grade Gates Urban Local 57 Highway 81 (US-81) 014184T RR Over RR Over Urban Principal Arterial 5,440 Lynn Burris Drive 014185A RR Over RR Over Urban Local 175 Crestview Road 014186G RR Over RR Over Urban Local 190 Tyler Road 014187N At-Grade Gates Rural Local 38 Source: U.S. DOT Crossing Inventory, 2018 BNSF Railway Sealed Corridor Study - Wellington, Kansas | Page 2 Exhibit 2: Study Area Source: TranSystems, 2018 BNSF Railway Sealed Corridor Study - Wellington, Kansas | Page 3 Existing Conditions In 1871, the City of Wellington was founded as an agricultural market near the Chisholm Trail. Development of the first railroad in 1878 accelerated the city’s growth as the Cowley, Sumner, and Fort Smith Railway Company extension began transporting agricultural goods to the Wichita area. Over the years, additional railroads were constructed as various companies began operation and/or consolidated. Today, BNSF operates the former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad corridor that generally travels east-west through the city. A railyard is located in the southeast portion of the city. In addition, Union Pacific Railroad (UP) and shortline Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad also operate within the City of Wellington. Document Review Relevant reports were reviewed to establish a foundation for the study process and identify concepts that may influence improvements at each highway-rail crossing. In addition to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and BNSF guidelines, the city documents reviewed included the Comprehensive Plan and Capital Improvement Program. A Quiet Zone Study was also conducted several years ago and was referenced during an initial conference call with city staff. Comprehensive Plan