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| Lac-Mégantic Oil Train Disaster. Source:Wikipedia |
Last week, the Minnesota press reported that BNSF and other railroads are refusing to allow their oil disaster plans to be shared with the public.
This week, BNSF released plans for a new rail line in Minneapolis that will bring oil and freight trains closer to homes than ever before. The BNSF plan includes removal of trees that provide a sound buffer, and construction of a retaining wall that will run through existing garages and a home.
The driver for this expansion?
“to fix freight delays that have risen along with increased oil shipments out of the North Dakota oil fields”
For more information, see:
Railroads balk at making Minnesota oil disaster plans public, Duluth News Tribune
BNSF Track Extension in NE Mpls. to Ease Congestion, Irritate Residents, KSTP (CBS) News
BNSF to Minneapolis homeowners: You’re on our land, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal