WATERLOO, Iowa — The city of Waterloo has received a $750,000 grant to begin preparations for possible relocation Canadian National Railway’s yard from downtown Waterloo to outside of town, along with other rail projects to improve safety, traffic flow, and pedestrian access. The project will be funded from the Department of Transportation’s Neighborhood Access and Equity Program, part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The current location cases traffic issues, sees pedestrians climbing through railcars, and may be impacting property values and air quality, according to a statement from U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who announced the grant.
“Relocating the CN Railyard in Waterloo is a step toward enhancing safety, boosting economic development and alleviating related environmental and health concerns. The IIJA resources announced today will help set this project in motion,” Grassley said. “The bipartisan infrastructure law continues to support vital improvements across Iowa, and I’m glad to see Iowans’ hard-earned tax dollars return to communities in our state.”
A few pedestrian overpasses would cost a lot less than reloocating the yard.
Yes, yes, let’s spend Federal Tax $$ for local “problems.” Of course, once they have moved the yard to someone else’s backyard, they will want to “re-purpose” this location as a kiddie soccer field (or maybe a Planned Parenthood “reproductive health care” facility?)
Then, of course, come the e-activists and the attendant costs for remediation of “toxic” contaminants in the soil, millions $$$ will be spent to solve a non-existent problem, SAD
Life sometimes is messy that way
Town probably wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t because of the railroad. Now the town wants to move the yard. Let the town pay for it. Railroad should take the money and build a 12 foot fence with razor wire to keep out ALL the pedestrians cutting through the yard and climbing through rail cars. That would pay for the improved safety.
As to property values, it would go up much if the yard was removed because the rail line would still pass though town. On the other hand the property values of the landowners either side of town would go down because they would NOW have the rail yard in their back yards. They would have to deal with the increased pollution because of the yard. Lastly what would happen in 50 or 60 years from now the town expanded out and reach the new yard area and the same thing would happen and they would want that yard moved. Either live with it or move.
Agree
What a waste of my tax Dollar.
Agree again
Well at least Chuck actually Voted for the infrastructure bill. Unlike other Senators and Representatives with an (R) who tout how they’re bringing money in for projects and fail to mention they Voted against the same bill.
SAD
Waterloo wants it moved, let them pay for it.
Exactly.
And agree, yet again
That amount of money probably won’t even pay for an environmental study. Being familiar with that complex that money won’t even make a dent in a relocation project
There has to be several thousands of cities in the US that would like to move the rail yard outside of town. Why should the Feds pay for this one?
Chuck Grassley is one of the better Senators. Hate to imagine the worst ones.