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KDOT, Partners Recognized for Marysville Project

April 8, 2005 (05-063)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Kim Stich, 785-296-3585

KDOT, Partners Recognized for Marysville Project

A national highway organization has recognized the Kansas Department of Transportation and its partners for a $50 million project to alleviate traffic and flooding problems at Marysville.

The National Partnership for Highway Quality has awarded the 2004 "Making a Difference" Bronze Award for Partnering to KDOT and the project team for the Marysville grade separations, levee and railroad relocation project. The award recognizes innovations, practices and teamwork that raise the bar for roadway performance, safety and environmental stewardship across the United States.

"Partnership is the key to a successful project," said Warren Sick, Assistant Secretary/State Transportation Engineer for KDOT. "This award exemplifies what can be accomplished when organizations work together to accomplish a goal."

Numerous entities were involved in or affected by the project as well as the citizens of and visitors to Marysville. "It's important to remember that there are many partners to this project," Sick said. "Everyone is to be commended for a job well done and thanked for their patience while construction is taking place."

Five primary organizations spearheaded this major effort through numerous partnering meetings to coordinate the various activities and keep all parts of the project on schedule:

• KDOT - overall sponsor of the project and responsible for the U.S. 36/U.S. 77 corridor;
• City of Marysville - responsible for the adjustment of their municipal utilities including an extensive modification to the sewer treatment plant;
• Kansas City District/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - let and managed the earthwork for the levee and the railroad system;
• Union Pacific Railroad Co. - responsible for the entire rail system and all the necessary appurtenances;
• Kirkham Michael Consulting Engineers - lead consultant firm for the project design.

These organizations will be honored at 10:45 a.m. on April 12 at the Kansas Transportation Engineering Conference at Kansas State University Student Union's Forum Hall in Manhattan.

Traffic and flooding problems had plagued Marysville for many years. But after the 1993 flood, a committee was organized by Marysville to investigate ways to solve flooding, railroad/highway crossing congestion and improve safety. A feasibility study was completed in 1996 and after a public meeting that year, the project garnered nearly 100 percent public support.

The project includes modification of the U.S. 36/U.S. 77 corridor through and west of Marysville, relocation of the double mainline Union Pacific Railroad tracks from downtown Marysville, and protection of the City of Marysville from the recurring flooding of the Big Blue River

This project in Marysville will cost approximately $50 million to construct. Construction on the U.S. 36/U.S. 77 corridor is complete and open to traffic. Rail traffic is expected to be out of downtown Marysville by this fall with the levee scheduled to be finished next spring. Removal of the tracks and reconstruction of Jackson Street will take place either late fall or early spring, depending on the weather.