Drainage top concern as officials meet with KCS
FYI: Kansas City Southern Railways hopes to have the line from Rosenberg to Victoria operational next year. A switch yard near Kendleton is near first stage completion.
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

El Campo and county officials will be meeting with Kansas City Southern representatives Thursday to discuss how the returning train tracks will impact drainage and how to make the best of it.

With drainage specialists from Half Associates, the firm overseeing Wharton County's flood mitigation planning, as well as those from Claunch & Miller, the firm El Campo hired to do the same job, the focus should remain on the single issue, City Manager John Steelman said Monday.

Although the city plans to review possible drainage effects of the rail corridor through the heart of El Campo, it does not mean any firm decisions have been made as to what route trains will take.

"Absolutely not. (A rail bypass) is still on the table," Steelman said. "But it is very apparent they will be coming through the old right of way for some length of time."

El Campo city leaders and downtown business owners are searching for a way to have the KCS rail line bypass the city - perhaps following the U.S. 59 corridor - rather than the historic line.

Safety issues as well as effects on local businesses have been cited as reasons for the attempt. The city of El Campo has, however, indicated that no local funding would be available for the effort.

KCS representatives have indicated the company would be willing to bypass the city if an alternative right of way could be found - although they too have not indicated any willingness to spend money on the effort. A land exchange (right of way for right of way) has been discussed.

The Texas Department of Transportation has indicated that a rail line would not fit within the current U.S. 59 right of way around El Campo.

KCS is in the process of putting down new track from Rosenberg to the Wharton County line while bridge work has started in East Wharton County.

Once complete, the line will run from Rosenberg to Victoria completing a NAFTA rail line linking the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

A $300 million switch yard is under construction on 800 acres north of Kendleton with Phase I expected to be complete soon.

The entire line is scheduled for completion by early 2009.

The city of El Campo did not post an agenda for the 1 p.m. Thursday meeting scheduled for City Council chambers, 315 E. Jackson. Steelman said he was not expecting Council members to attend.

The Wharton County Commissioners' Court is expecting a quorum at the meeting, however, and posted an agenda last week.