Sedgwick County commissioners have agreed to support the City of Wichita in a grant application for a study of rail traffic that has caused delays along a major north side corridor.
The Wichita City Council has approved a grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a Reconnecting Communities grant program. The city is applying for $1 million to fund a study that will find solutions to the impact of rail traffic along 21st Street, from Waco to Grove. There are delays for traffic several times a day because of trains that have stopped to change crews or uncouple rail cars.
Sedgwick County Public Works Director Jim Weber explained the program to county commissioners on Wednesday and said this will be for an early study. If the grant is approved for a study, a more detailed study will be pursued in the future and then the next step would be funding for construction on any projects that are identified.
County commissioners voted to join Wichita in a letter that will be sent to formally apply for the federal grant.
