BNSF has requested the City of Topeka consider closing the railroad crossing at SE 8th Avenue between SE Adams Street and SE Hancock Street. BNSF has made the request due to a Federal Mandate to implement positive train control system that would have significant costs to implement.  

Staff reviewed the request and convened a meeting with property owners, businesses and residents to discuss the request. Staff has held two separate meetings with this group to discuss the impacts and identify a solution to mitigate the closure. 

If the request were to be approved by the Governing Body, the City of Topeka would request that BNSF provide the following items:

1. Pay for all costs (design, ROW, construction, and other) to construct a new street between SE 8th Avenue and SE 10th Street on the east side of the railroad tracks.

2. Repair and improve the current rail crossing on SE 10th Street west of the 10th Street Bridge.

3. Permit a future public crossing of BNSF's railroad tracks between NE Curtis Street and NE Sardou Avenue.