Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Pleased with Union Pacific’s Decision to Drop Plan for Rerouted Rail Traffic in Sikeston
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt said he was pleased to learn that Union Pacific Railroad has abandoned their request to the Surface Transportation Board to increase rail traffic through Sikeston and over Highway 60 and chose instead to double track along their existing northern line between Rockview and Dexter as he and community leaders suggested.
“This is a tremendous development for the community of Sikeston, and I am glad we were able to play a role in expressing the community’s viewpoints to the federal Surface Transportation Board,” Blunt said. “This outcome means a solution that balances Union Pacific’s desire to expand with the need to ensure residents’ and motorists’ safety will be reached, which was our goal from the onset.”
Blunt met with Sikeston city officials several months ago regarding the proposal and toured the Sikeston railroad locations. Highway safety and the impact on the community were Blunt’s primary concerns with the Union Pacific’s proposal.
Currently, only about seven trains travel through Sikeston each day. Approval of Union Pacific’s request would have increased traffic by ten or more trains a day. Increased rail traffic increases safety hazards for motorists on Highway 60 because no grade separation currently exists at the crossing. The Missouri Department of Transportation estimated that adding grade separation could have taken up to two years. The increased rail traffic also would have separated health care and first responders from a school, residential care center and sheltered workshop each time a train passed through the community.
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