Railroad merger draws increased scrutiny in wake of Ohio derailment

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A proposed $31 billion freight railroad merger that would create a single rail line connecting the United States, Mexico and Canada is taking extra heat in the aftermath of a train derailment that spilled toxic chemicals in northeast Ohio.

has spurred calls for more scrutiny among members of Congress and state and local officials. It also has re-energized anti-merger efforts in communities along the railroad tracks that have questioned the effects of increased freight traffic, longer trains and greater loads of hazardous materials that would travel through.“The tragedy in Ohio is an illustration of what we’ve been talking about can happen,” said Carie Anne Ergo, administrator of Itasca, Ill.

An STB analysis concluded the merger would result in increased freight traffic in some communities, as well as the deployment of longer trains and more hazmat tank cars. It would bring a slightly increased risk of derailment, including hazmat releases, the STB analysis said, but would be partially offset by a reduction in incidents among other railroads and on highways.

Ohio state Sen. Michael A. Rulli, a Republican who represents East Palestine, sent a letter to the STB“The proposed merger,” he said, “runs contrary to the timely national focus on rail safety.” In its application seeking approval from the STB, Canadian Pacific said the merger could remove up to 64,000 trucks from highways, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It also indicated the merger would open new opportunities with a single railroad connecting Mexico, the United States and Canada, potentially eliminating the need for shippers to interact with multiple railroads and reducing transit times.

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