Rail crossing repairs to start on U.S. 169 in Montgomery County

CHERRYVALE — On Friday, May 13, the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad (SKOL) will begin replacing tracks and surfacing at the two SKOL crossings on U.S. 169 west of Cherryvale, weather permitting.

The crossings are located between the junctions with U.S. 400 on the north and U.S. 160 on the south.

SKOL plans to work at both crossings at the same time. The work zones will be closed to through traffic for the duration of the project. Both north- and southbound U.S. 169 motorists will be detoured through Cherryvale on old 169 highway, with no major delays expected. 

Marcus Leck, maintenance superintendent with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) office at Independence, said the crossing replacements should be finished in one week.

Motorists are reminded to stay alert, obey the warning signs and proceed carefully on the detour route. The detour has a vertical restriction of 14 feet and a 12-foot lane width restriction.