(The following story by Michael Tomberlin appeared on the Birmingham News website on August 20, 2009.)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Jefferson County Board of Education wants an independent study of how a proposed Norfolk Southern railroad hub next to McAdory Elementary School would affect the students and faculty there.
The board called a special meeting today to approve a resolution that authorizes Superintendent Phil Hammonds to hire firms to look at traffic, environmental and other issues related to Norfolk Southern’s planned $112 million railroad hub slated for 316 acres next to the school.
“We’re simply saying we want to have an independent analysis on the board’s behalf,” Hammonds said, stressing the board is not taking any stance for or against the hub.
Charlene McMurry, principal at McAdory Elementary School, said she welcomes the board’s action.
Terry Finch, an organizer of the No Hub 4 McCalla group that opposes the railroad’s plans, said the move by the school board will help ensure accurate information is being shared with the public. Read a story about a meeting between the group and the railroad this week.
Hammonds said he informed Norfolk Southern officials of the board’s plans this morning and they, too, said they welcome the scrutiny.
The resolution does not set a budget for what the board will spend on the studies, but in an interview afterwards, Hammonds said the costs shouldn’t run into millions of dollars.
Norfolk Southern is in the permitting process for the project.
The company plans to break ground on the project in April 2010 with completion set for early 2012.