At the June 16th Council Meeting, the City Council voted to designate the 400 - 500 blocks of South Fair Street as an official "thoroughfare". This action was necessary after an investigation revealed the street to be owned by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.
Following the action designating Fair Street as a thoroughfare, the Council voted to issue Bonds in excess of $200,000 to begin the actual renovation. These bonds, coupled with an additional $100,000 in cash on hand, will be used to correct water drainage below the BNSF Bridge, then to resurface the roadway which has become nearly impassible.
For years, storm waters have flooded the underpass and eroded the roadway. The path carries storm water from a large section of eastern Wellington to Hargis Creek. Because the drainage is inadequate, the underpass frequently floods.
The Fair Street underpass carries nearly 1200 vehicles per day, and because of the BNSF Railway mainline and yards, is one of only two passages which connect the entire Rosedale Addition of Wellington with the eastern half of the community.
Past discussions have tossed about the idea of an elevated roadway over the railroad tracks, however estimates for an urban overpass are approximately $4 million dollars.
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