PSC Dismisses Complaint Against Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PSC Dismisses Complaint against
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad
Lincoln, November 17, 2020 – The Nebraska Public Service
Commission on Tuesday, November 17, issued an Order
dismissing the Transportation Department complaint (DC-97)
against Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad, Fort
Worth, Texas.
In June, the PSC issued an Order releasing its findings from
its February hearing and closing the investigation into the
blocking of railroad crossings in Hall County and directed the
PSC Transportation Department to file a formal complaint against
Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), Nebraska Central Railroad
Company (NCRC), and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF).
In September, the Commission dismissed its complaints against
UPRR and NCRC, but continued the complaint against BNSF.
The PSC complaint (DC-97) against BNSF dealt with the blocking
of railroad crossings on North Road and Highway 2, in Grand Island
on at least 10 different occasions over the last two- years. Today’s
Order dismisses the compliant against BNSF.
“We appreciate BNSF’s efforts to find a workable solution to this
problem,” said Commission Chair Mary Ridder, “but we are dismayed
that BNSF failed to listen to the concerns of the community and only
worked to find a solution once confronted with a formal complaint.”
For its part BNSF has come up with to an operational change that
will stage its trains further west of the North Road and Highway 2
crossings.
Commissioner Ridder said, “We are hopeful this new plan will
result in no more blocked crossings. At the same time, we will
continue to monitor the situation and encourage area residents,
local government officials and emergency responders, to contact
us should any further issues arise.”
Citizens wishing to provide information on areas of concern can
email the PSC Transportation Department @
psc.motorfilings@nebraska.gov .###
Contact:
Deb Collins- Media & Communications Mgr.
(402) 471-0226
deb.collins@nebraska.gov
