Class Is Think Long-Term Intermodal Growth Despite Short-Term Turmoil
Introducing The Rising Stars Of 2025
2025 C&S Spending Report
BNSF Forms Team Focused On Growing Single Carloads
Newsletter Sign Up
Stay updated on news, articles and information for the rail industry
Stay updated on news, articles and information for the rail industry
railPrime
RAIL EMPLOYMENT & NOTICES
Rail News Home
Rail Industry Trends
Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
The Surface Transportation Board is one step closer to issuing a final decision on the environmental impacts of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corp.’s (DM&E) proposed Powder River Basin (PRB) line. Last week, the board’s Section of Environmental Analysis released a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on the $1.4 billion project.
Now, the STB must wait at least 30 days after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes a notice of availability on the SEIS before issuing a final decision.
The SEIS analyzes issues raised by project opponents in a federal court proceeding — conducted after the STB issued a draft SEIS in April 2005 — such as the impacts of train horn noise, vibration and increased air emissions.
The DM&E is seeking a $2.5 billion loan through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program to help fund the PRB project and other trackwork. The railroad plans to build a 262.3-mile extension into the basin and upgrade 600 miles of other potential coal-hauling lines; upgrade 280 track miles on 1,400-mile sister road the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad Corp.; and rehabilitate 150 track miles between Wall, S.D., and Colony, Wyo.
After the STB completes its environmental review, the FRA is expected to issue a decision on the DM&E’s RRIF application during the second quarter. Construction on the three-year PRB project could begin in late 2006 or early 2007.
1/3/2006
Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
STB arm releases final environmental analysis of DM&E's Powder River Basin project
advertisement
The Surface Transportation Board is one step closer to issuing a final decision on the environmental impacts of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corp.’s (DM&E) proposed Powder River Basin (PRB) line. Last week, the board’s Section of Environmental Analysis released a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on the $1.4 billion project.
Now, the STB must wait at least 30 days after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes a notice of availability on the SEIS before issuing a final decision.
The SEIS analyzes issues raised by project opponents in a federal court proceeding — conducted after the STB issued a draft SEIS in April 2005 — such as the impacts of train horn noise, vibration and increased air emissions.
The DM&E is seeking a $2.5 billion loan through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program to help fund the PRB project and other trackwork. The railroad plans to build a 262.3-mile extension into the basin and upgrade 600 miles of other potential coal-hauling lines; upgrade 280 track miles on 1,400-mile sister road the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad Corp.; and rehabilitate 150 track miles between Wall, S.D., and Colony, Wyo.
After the STB completes its environmental review, the FRA is expected to issue a decision on the DM&E’s RRIF application during the second quarter. Construction on the three-year PRB project could begin in late 2006 or early 2007.
