Full Notification

East First Street will be closed at the KO Railroad crossing beginning Wednesday, May 27, while City and railroad crews repair the crossing and street. City staff have been working with WATCO, owner of KO Railroad, since last fall to develop a plan to improve the bumpy crossing. WATCO staff said that before the crossing could be repaired, they would need to adjust the hard bank caused by the curve in the tracks south of First Street. WATCO completed that work last month. The next step is for WATCO to flatten the tracks at the crossing and install new aprons, which will take two to three days. City crews will then replace the street concrete for several feet on either side of the tracks to match the pitch and create a smoother transition. First Street will then remain closed for about two weeks to allow the concrete to cure. South Kansas Avenue will remain open at the intersection. North Kansas Avenue between First Street and the alley will be closed as a staging area for equipment and materials. The full project is planned to be complete by June 22, weather permitting.