HUTCHINSON, Kan. – After two of three County Commissioners had change of heart, they agreed close off a small portion of Mohawk Road west of Hutchinson.
Before a packed commission changer, both Commission Chair Dan Deming and Commissioner Brad Dillon agreed to the closure going along with Commissioner James Schlickau who was in favor of doing so from the beginning.
The question was whether it would be safe to have a rail spur for Enterprise Products near two other rail crossings. The company, after a long evaluation and looking at all the options, believes it would not be safe to place it there, but also leave the road open.
The commission after getting more information agreed to closure of Mohawk between Blanchard and Blanchard Southwest. The closing was opposed by a few area farmers and they again spoke against the closing even after a lengthy presentation by the company and one the railroads.
One of the railroads indicated that they would seek a study of the road and the impact of adding a rail spur near the two other crossings which could have delayed the project for as long as 18-months. That of course would delay the project and perhaps cause Enterprise to abandon the project all together.
The commission only approved the first item associated with this issue, that being them agreeing to vacate the road. They then instructed County Counselor Joe O’Sullivan to put together a resolution including finding of facts for the project and have that ready for approval by the commission next week. They’ll then make everything official at that time.