EDGERTON — Edgerton’s attempt to annex the site of a proposed intermodal freight center has been delayed. The city had to annex slightly more than two acres from a new johnson county park to reach the site, which was recently de-annexed by Gardner. Burlington Northern Santa Fe seeks to build a large intermodal center and warehouse district at the site. However, the proposal has drawn strong opposition from residents in the Gardner area. The Johnson County Commission asked Thursday that the county park board delay a vote on the annexation. The Kansas Department of Transportation has applied for a $ 50 million grant from the federal government to help build the intermodal facility. Because the site would affect the Hillsdale Lake watershed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must also issue a permit for the intermodal center. Environmental attorney Mark Dugan said that because of the type of area the center would be located, federal law requires that the Corps and BNSF have a higher burden of proof before the permit is issued.
