fbpx

|

Cost to add new train crossing signal horns in Old Town Lenexa now tops $500,000

Share this story:

A plan to install signal horns at two railroad crossings in Old Town Lenexa will cost substantially more than anticipated.

The Lenexa City Council earlier this month unanimously approved an increase of $190,000 to the original price tag of $350,000 to install the signals, known as wayside horns, at the crossings at Noland and Pflumm Roads, in order to warn motorists of oncoming trains.

That makes the total cost of the project now roughly $540,000.

Last month, BNSF Railway reported to city staff that it needs to replace aging equipment at the two crossings. The company had intended to replace much of its equipment but told the city it could not obtain materials necessary for those upgrades because of the age of the existing system.

City staff noted that it tried to split the cost with BNSF Railway, but the company denied the request.

Wayside horns aim to cut down on train nose

BNSF Railway told the city it would complete the track equipment upgrades within 180 days after finalizing contracts. After that, it will take about two weeks to install the wayside horns. City staff said they expect residents and businesses to hear train horns during a 30-day trial period “to ensure the new system is working properly.”

In the summer of 2018, the city council first approved spending the initial $350,000 for the upgraded wayside horns system.

Wayside horns are intended to reduce noise from train-mounted horns. Train horns are required by law to sound as moving trains approach crossings, but stationary wayside horns at crossings can sound instead of train-mounted horns. Wayside horns can emit a targeted sound to the immediate area and are typically set to a lower volume than train horns and do not have to be blown as frequently as trains pass.

Residents and businesses within a half-mile of the area in Old Town Lenexa have been concerned with the noise from passing trains for quite some time.

Lenexa doesn’t have a firm start date for the project, but work is expected to be completed by summer, 2021.

About the author

Leah Wankum
Leah Wankum

Hi there! I’m Leah Wankum, and I’m the Post’s Deputy Editor. I’m thrilled to call Johnson County home, and I’m deeply committed to the Post’s philosophy that an informed community is a strong community.

I’m a native of mid-Missouri, and attended high school in Jefferson City before going on to the University of Central Missouri, where I earned a master’s degree in mass communication.

Prior to joining the Post as a reporter in 2018, I was the editor of the Richmond News in Ray County, Missouri. I’ve also written for several publications, including the Sedalia Democrat and KC Magazine.

LATEST HEADLINES