Columbus recognized for railroad crossing collaboration

The city of Columbus is being recognized for collaborating with the state, county, railroads and Cummins to deal with increasing train traffic. The city received the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities Local Government Collaboration Award during a ceremony in French Lick.

The AIM awards recognize communities and individuals in municipal government for excellence and outstanding achievement.

The city collaborated with Bartholomew County, the Louisville & Indianapolis Railroad, CSX and Cummins to deal with the increasing train traffic, which is expected to increase from 8 trains a day currently, to 22. The city estimates that would have a $34 million impact on the intersection at Jonathan Moore Pike and State Road 11, along with affecting the quality of life of Columbus residents.

The city plans to build an overpass to lift traffic over the railroad line, with the state picking up half of the cost. The city, county, railroads and Cummins are funding the rest of the project costs.