Central Rail Corridor

The most populous city in the state, Wichita, Kansas is the 51st largest city in the US and an important hub for rail trade. With numerous at-grade railroad crossings in the city, increased traffic congestion required trains from the Union Pacific and BNSF Railway companies to blow their whistles as they pass. Forty trains pass through the city daily causing drivers as long as a 30-minute delay with each passing train. To reduce traffic congestion and the need for the whistles, the city sought to separate some of the key crossing grades. Building the grade separations by elevating two miles of track would involve extensive coordination with the Union Pacific and BNSF as well as two short line railroads during the course of construction. The city retained the services of TranSystems to provide program and construction management on the $105 million project.