AMES, Iowa – A member of the Iowa Legislature’s Mississippi River Parkway Planning Commission, Ann Geiger, plans to speak against new long-distance heavy trains along the river. At issue is a Canadian Pacific plan to beef up a little-used line south from LaCrescent, Minnesota. As many as six high-ball freights a day from Canada and Mexico would be routed in the riverside route, which includes Mississippi River points – yes, Winona too. There would be no local service. Geiger said that new traffic would hurt local property values and disrupt lifestyles and small-town economies along the river. There will be more pollutants, as well as vibration and noise, she said. Derailments would be inevitable and cause environmental catastrophes and fatalities, she said. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board has invited public comment at virtual public hearings September 8 and 19.
Geiger. From Princeton, Iowa. Member of the Iowa Legislature’s Mississippi River Parkway Planning Commission
Nay to railroad merger
She sees only downsides from the river-side route. The route is key to the financial success of merger of the Canadian Pacific and the Kansas City Southern railroads. The route would bypass Chicago for Asian cargo between the West Coast and the Gulf Coast. The route also would carry Mexico-manufactured goods north into the U.S. Heartland. Already the merger has passed several U.S. government regulatory hurdles.