La Crosse Railroad Expansion
Featured in this Show
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La Crosse Railroad Expansion Part 1
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway is looking to add more tracks to a four mile stretch between the La Crosse River Marsh and south La Crosse in the next couple of years. The company says the project will improve the efficiency of its operation in the La Crosse area, which averages about 60 trains each day. Freight train traffic has increased recently because of increased oil shipments from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota and sand in Wisconsin. We talk with local officials who are concerned freight train traffic will increase even more with the expansion, and are concerned about safety, the environment and the future ability to operate a city-owned golf course. BNSF officials were invited to participate in the discussion, but declined, and have not said if expanding the tracks around La Crosse will lead to more train traffic.
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La Crosse Railroad Expansion Part 2
We continue the discussion about the proposed expansion of freight train railroad lines through the city of La Crosse. Topics covered include the railroad’s impact on the local economy, what’s behind a newly formed group called Citizens Acting for Rail Safety and why discussions between local officials and BNSF Railway have been held behind closed doors.
Episode Credits
- Maureen McCollum Host
- John Davis Producer
- Maureen Freedland Guest
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