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
