In a landmark project for the City of Olathe, Kansas, Ames eliminated nearly half of the at-grade road crossings over railroad tracks as part of the city’s downtown revitalization program. This included the removal of four of the busiest crossings in the state.
The project was the first in the United States to use the Swiss-designed, full panel (5' x 20') precast Evergreen Wall System. This construction attracted many European visitors who were interested in Ames’ methodologies and productions, which quickly ramped up to average 30 segments per day.
Crews were challenged daily to maintain consistent productions for the wall and backfill crews. Heavy train traffic through the area required significant traffic control on every access point to the work areas, and loaded trucks and cranes slowly snaked through the surrounding neighborhoods, dodging obstacles to safely reach the work site.
With improved access to downtown Olathe, local businesses have flourished.
