Questions about a proposed expansion of the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad’s routes in Minnesota that might force some other trains to be diverted through the city will be answered later this month when railroad officials visit with Austin officials.

Thursday, February 08, 2001

Questions about a proposed expansion of the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad’s routes in Minnesota that might force some other trains to be diverted through the city will be answered later this month when railroad officials visit with Austin officials.

On the afternoon of Feb. 20, DM&E representatives will visit Austin to speak with the Austin City Council’s Airport, Trails and Railroad Committee, after a similar meeting in Rochester earlier in the day. Chances are one of the representatives will be Kevin Schieffer, DM&E’s president and chief executive officer.

The Austin City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 20, which means the committee members will be able to update the council immediately following the meeting with railroad representatives.

The possibility of trains being diverted to the I&M Rail Link’s line running through Austin because of increased traffic on the DM&E line was raised at Monday’s City Council meeting.

City officials are being cautious.

"The best option is probably not through Austin," City Administrator Pat McGarvey said during Wednesday’s committee meeting.

McGarvey went on to say that the smart rules of business dictate the DM&E will keep their product on their tracks, which means away from the tracks running north and south through Austin. Even if DM&E merged with I&M and decided to move coal through the Austin area, the poor condition of the tracks would preclude them from doing so at this time.

"I assume Austin is not the most attractive route for them," McGarvey said of DM&E.

"For four years, I’ve heard the I&M will increase rail traffic," committee member Dick Chaffee said. Chaffee added as many as 10 one-mile trains were predicted to move through Austin. In checking on the situation since the DM&E issue was raised earlier this week, he said the additional trains are "coming some time along the line."

McGarvey, Chaffee, committee member Gloria Nordin, City Engineer Jon Erichson and committee chairman Wayne Goodnature agreed emergency management concerns will need to be addressed in conjunction with any increased railroad traffic through the city.

In September, the National Surface Transportation Board issued a draft environmental impact study on the proposed DM&E project.

The purpose of the study is to inform the public of the impact to the environment as well as to give the decision-making body – NSTB board members – a period to hear the response from the public to the proposal.

The comment period is open until March 6. After meeting with DM&E representatives, Austin officials will decide whether or not to issue a formal comment to the NSTB on the DM&E expansion.

Residents along the I&M line can find information on the railroad by going to http://www.imrail.com. The DM&E also has a Web site at http://www.dmerail.com.