The city of Columbus is working on a plan to mitigate the wait times drivers will have to endure with an increase in train traffic.

The Louisville & Indiana Railroad has leased the line going through the city to CSX. They have announced plans to increase train traffic from a current maximum of eight per day, to 22. In addition, the trains will be longer, going from a current maximum length of 5,100 feet to 7,500 feet.

John Dorenbush, a member of the city’s Redevelopment Commission, said during that group’s meeting on Monday afternoon, that the main concern is for traffic on State Road 46. To alleviate this upcoming traffic congestion, he says that city officials are looking into an overpass that will allow vehicular traffic to drive over the railroad there. “There will be an overpass in the future,” Dorenbush said. However, he would not hazard a guess as to when the work on such a project would even begin. Dorenbush said that residents need to understand that the railroad is not going to change it’s plan. “The railroad doesn’t cross 46,” said Dornebush. “Forty-six crosses the railroad.”

Dorenbush says that cost estimates on the project are being compiled by the city’s consulting firm and should be available “in the near-future.” He expressed hope that there will be a public meeting in January to discuss the project with residents and to hear their concerns and proposals.