Does DM&E Under Another Name Pass the Walz Test?
Posted by Andy on September 21st, 2007
A reader passed along a press release about how Reps. Tim Walz (D MN1) and Jim Oberstar (D MN8) are meeting with groups in Rochester about the possible go ahead with the DM&E railroad expansion.
ROCHESTER, Minn., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. Reps. James Oberstar
and Tim Walz met with Rochester Coalition and Mayo Clinic leadership today
to discuss the sale of the Dakota Minnesota and Eastern (DM&E) railroad to
Canadian Pacific and its affect on the proposed Powder River Basin
expansion project. As proposed, the expansion of the DM&E line through
downtown Rochester remains a major concern for local residents, businesses
and Rochester’s Mayo Clinic, which is Minnesota’s largest private employer
and a leading worldwide destination for health care.
“We support responsible investment in transportation infrastructure,
including rail,” said Glenn Forbes, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic Rochester.
“Our goal is simply to ensure the safety of our patients, staff and
community. We appreciate the support of Representatives Oberstar and Walz
as they begin discussions with Canadian Pacific about the future of this
project.”
It remains to be seen if Canadian Pacific’s acquisition of DM&E is a
positive development for Rochester and other communities along the line.
Canadian Pacific’s willingness to have meaningful discussions about how to
mitigate the project’s negative impacts and protect communities along the
line is the Coalition’s primary concern.
“This sale represents an opportunity to meet directly with a new set of
owners to ensure that the safety needs of our community are addressed in a
meaningful way,” said Olmsted County Commissioner Ken Brown. “We see this
acquisition as potentially positive and believe the Canadian Pacific will
be interested in finding common ground.”
“We have actively reached out to Canadian Pacific and asked for early
meetings,” said Rochester City Council President Denny Hanson. “We are
optimistic they will work with our community to allow for a safer railroad
through southern Minnesota.”
This should be interesting for the Southern MN Congressman who faces a tough reelection in 2008.
Sphere: Related Content