The interchange between west Kellogg and I-235 next to the big ditch needs to be rebuilt. There is no argument about that. The area is extremely dangerous for any driver, whether or not he is changing highways or in the left-most through lane. The bridge over the Big Ditch was recently expanded to allow three lanes of traffic in each direction on Kellogg at the expense of any worthwhile shoulder space. The loop from eastbound Kellogg to northbound 235 is so sharp drivers have to slow down to a speed where they cannot merge with through and exiting traffic above, leading to backups that spread to the freeway below, causing extremely dangerous conditions where cars sit next to others traveling 60 mph.
The relevance to a light-rail system for Wichita is that the right-of-way in question travels through the southern portion of the intersection. It is what causes the EB 54 to NB 235 loop to be so oddly shaped. The Kansas Department of Transportation and Wichita have begun the process of planning to replace the intersection. The problem is that no where in the current plan is there a replacement for the right-of-way. Currently, the KDOT plans have a fully directional interchange with a braided ramp for access to West St. This requires ramps and bridges to be built directly in the path of the current rail right-of-way.
However, some creative routing on the parts of the planners and a couple of longer bridges then planned allow for the continued existence of the corridor through the intersection.
The following image is taken from the website created for the study of the reconstruction of the interchange http://www.235kelloggcentral.com/.
I added the blue line to demonstrate how the rail ROW could be routed through the intersection. Traveling from west-to-east the rail would enter from the ROW south of Kellogg. After passing the Stratford House Inn, the line would angle northward and travel over or under (the best solution should be determined by KDOT) the exiting ramp from Kellogg. It would then turn eastward to travel next to the eastbound lanes of Kellogg underneath the ramps and mainline bridge of I-235. At the exit for West Street from EB Kellogg, the line would angle southeast and parallel the car exit underneath the entrance ramp to EB Kellogg. At this point, the line would have returned to the right-of-way and could continue eastbound.
Constructing this right-of-way as the interchange is built would add limited extra expense to the project. The exit ramp from EB Kellogg would require a new bridge, the I-235 and entrance ramp to EB Kellogg would have to extend their bridges, and supports for the taller bridges would have to be arranged to not interfere with the ROW. Yes, these adjustments would cost more, but in the end it would be cheaper than trying to fit the line through after it is built.
Well, if the railroad needs to stay in place (which it should) it should be designed for a real railroad, not just light rail. The issues at hand here are height clearances as well as the types of trains that are wanting to be run. I am curious about approaching the city and trying to get an effort underway to preserve the railroad ROW under I235 as it is now with the exception of a slight modification. The floodway needs to be able to be utilized for a 100 yr flood. Since this is the case, I would suggest lowering the tracks down to a point about 4 - 6 feet down from where they are now while providing a wider channel for the water along with water damming doors on the east and west end of the RR bridge. This is done in Halstead on the BNSF as well as Winfield on the BNSF and even Ark City has flood gates on the highway coming into town from the west. This would provide a way for the interchange to be constructed while keeping the railroad intact. Keeping the railroad there is extremely important as having rail access to the west side of Wichita, and to the airport and possible air/rail freight potential in the future. The diversion of the rail traffic from a route along Zoo Blvd to one that is on the abandoned ROW and closure of 30 crossings will never happen if this isn't addressed soon.
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