SKOL Works With KDOT on Two Crossings in Kansas
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Courtesy of Watco
CHEROKEE, Kan. - South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad (SKOL) replaced crossings over two highways with a new style that it hopes will hold up better than before.
In Watco’s July 2025 issue of The Dispatch, SKOL Roadmaster Mike Mulnix and his MoW team have reportedly replaced crossings located at US 400 near Cherokee and US 169 near Cherryvale many times before. They have used concrete panel and rubber crossings, but these solutions could not hold up to the amount of traffic the crossings see on a daily basis.
According to the issue, Roadmaster Mulnix researched concrete tub crossings and found that the “rail is secured directly to the precast concrete panels on these crossings.” Panels are laid on top of a packed subgrade, and subsequently, there is no ballast or ties. Crews installed the crossing at the Cherokee location. However, the Cherryvale crossing “began deteriorating just as the other finished.” SKOL worked with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to install concrete tubs across Highway 169.
Mulnix said, “There are two critical parts to any crossing. There’s the crossing itself, and then there’s the approach. . . KDOT offered to grind out the old asphalt and lay a new approach at the level of the new crossing.” Using their observations, crews installed the crossing at Highway 169 quicker with roughly 20% less cost.
Mulnix continued, “KDOT really came through for us on this one. We both want better, safer crossings for drivers and trains. . . This partnership showed how quickly we can make improvements for everyone when we work together. I hope we can do more of these going forward.”
