(The following story by David Chircop appeared on the Merced Sun-Star website on November 12.)
MERCED, Calif. — A 137-page environmental report by the U.S. Department of Transportation will likely clear the tracks for extended freight service to one of Merced?s largest employers.
The report released Friday recommends approval of an 850-foot Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway extension to serve Quebecor World, Inc.?s Merced facility, which employs around 800 people.
The company, which prints numerous magazines, telephone books and other publications distributed around the West, is currently only serviced by Union Pacific for its rail freight needs.
Planners hope a second line would provide the largest printing operation on the West Coast with increased bargaining power. They also say it will provide alternative rail service to the facility.
“This will enable Quebecor to improve the service to its customers and to improve its competitive position in its markets,” stated Eric Steinbach, Quebecor general manager in Merced.
“In addition, the new line will provide Quebecor with a service alternative if there are any future service disruptions that may be caused by strike or natural disaster,” Steinbach said.
The report concluded that the project would not create any significant environmental impacts.
David Navecky of the Surface Transportation Board in Washington D.C. visited the facility in June.
He said the economic and legal merits of the project prompted the initial recommendation for approval. The limited scope of the project also helped put it on the fast-track to completion.
Waiving a series of regulatory approvals, the railroad company originally applied for an exemption from prior approval to construct and operate the line in January.
Following final approval from the Federal Railroad Administration early next year, the project would take around 90 days to complete.
The environmental assessment exhaustively details a description of the project area, affected species and the neighboring properties.
Among the findings, the analysis states that increased traffic and air emissions will be minimal.
While the proposed rail extension would be built away from heavily traveled roads, the proposal did propel concern from local officials.
In late March, Merced Mayor Hub Walsh wrote a letter to the project manager urging that any environmental study conducted include an evaluation of its effect on traffic.
“Any operations involving diverting rail cars to the proposed spur must not block traffic at Highway 59 or in other locations within the city,” Walsh wrote. “BNSF?s current surface operations already significantly disrupt the major north-south arterial road system within the city, and the city is concerned about further disruption.”
The Environmental Analysis is available on the Surface Transportation Board?s Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov. Public comment will be accepted until Dec. 10.
Comments (an original and 10 copies) should be sent to Surface Transportation Board, Case Control Unit, 1925 K St. NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20423. The lower left hand corner of the envelope should be marked: Attention: David Navecky, Environmental Comments, Finance Docket No. 34305. Questions may also be directed to David Navecky at (202) 565-1593 or by e-mailing naveckyd@stb.dot.gov.