Sikeston leaders unsure of MoDOT railroad proposal

~ City leaders were upset that they were not consulted before the recommendation was released.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Leaders in Sikeston don't yet know how they stand on MoDOT's safety recommendations for an alternative route to Union Pacific Railroad's acquisition of track between Rockview and Sikeston in Scott County.

But they do know they would've preferred to have had a say in the recommendations before they were made public.

Since UP petitioned the federal Surface Transportation Board to acquire the track from Burlington Northern Santa Fe last year, Sikeston has led the opposition to the proposal. Sikeston leaders, joined by other municipal and county leaders, have urged the STB to deny the acquisition so UP will be forced to pursue a "northern option."

UP wants to acquire the track so it can more efficiently run trains on the line. The railroad owns the rights to line between Rockview and Dexter. The acquisition of the Rockview-to-Sikeston line would allow the railroad's trains to run more efficiently through the area, UP says.

But municipal and county leaders say the 10- to 11-train-per-day increase could cause serious safety problems in the region.

Sikeston City Manager Doug Friend said he's seen MoDOT's recommendation for the alternative of double tracking. But the city is upset that MoDOT didn't consult city officials before releasing those recommendations to the STB.

"I just don't understand, we have had so much interaction of late with MoDOT and it's just hard for me to comprehend how they would issue that report without sitting down with us first," said Friend.

MoDOT had originally scheduled a meeting with Sikeston officials, state and federal legislators and UP representatives for today to discuss the recommendations, but that meeting has been canceled, said Friend.

The agency's recommendations include two railroad overpasses -- one on Highway 77 north of Chaffee and one on Route M west of Scott City and Kelso. The cost for safety improvements would be $8.5 million.

The cost of recommended improvements for the Rockview to Sikeston line -- including an overpass on Highway 60 -- is more than $24 million. UP has agreed to share some of the cost for those improvements, but not for the alternative route.

Still, tax money would have to pay for about $12 million of the Rockview-to- Sikeston improvements.

UP spokesman James Barnes said MoDOT hadn't sent the recommendations for the northern alternative to the company, and that UP feels the best way for the company to meet its goal of more efficient directional running is to acquire the Rockview-to-Sikeston line.

Barnes said UP also feels there can be a solution reached to local safety concerns along the Rockview-to-Sikeston route.

Scott County Presiding Commissioner Martin Priggel said the recommendations from MoDOT reinforce the county's hard stance against the swap.

"Our first responsibility is for the safety of citizens of Scott County," said Priggel. "We feel like if they stay where they're at it will be a lot safer."

Last week Gov. Matt Blunt issued a letter to the STB urging them to consider the alternative route, but not taking a stance against the track acquisition. Blunt spokeswoman Jessica Robinson said Blunt's statements still stand.

Blunt joined U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and U.S. Sens. Jim Talent and Kit Bond, who had already written letters also expressing concerns, but not taking a stand against UP's proposal.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182