HomeMy WebLinkAbout96-73 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 1996/05/066
RESOLUTION NO 96-73
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO CONSTRUCTION OF RAILROAD
INTERSECTIONS AT THE MILWAUKEE JUNCTION AND AT THE CANADIAN
PACIFIC AND BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILROAD TRACKS
WHEREAS, the Hennepin County Railroad Authority has acquired the 29th Street rail
line through the City of Nfinneapolis, and
WHEREAS, the closure of this route will cause the Twin City and Western Railroad to
need an alternative route to the St. Paul barge facilities, and
WHEREAS, the Canadian Pacific Railroad has evaluated the alternatives of either
constructing new trackage interconnections within St. Louis Park or use of a rail trackage in the
City of Minneapolis, and
WHEREAS, the Canadian Pacific Railroad, has indicated they prefer to use the existing
route through the City of Minneapolis, and
WHEREAS, the Birchwood, Lenox, Bronx Park and Sorenson neighborhoods would
experience additional train traffic, which would cause additional noise and vibration, and
WHEREAS, the north -south trackage in St. Louis Park is in close proximity to existing
residential areas with a minimal distance to existing homes which would unduly cause visual
pollution, and
WHEREAS, the north -south trackage is in proximity to the St. Louis Park High School,
and has several uncontrolled railroad crossings with residential streets causing additional danger
to the residents and blowing of the train whistle, and
WHEREAS, the existing rail lines through Minneapolis can be used without expenditure
of State funds to create a new interconnection of trackage where none currently exists, and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park is a community with deep historical roots in the
railroad history of the State of Nfinnesota, and
WHEREAS, the railroad industry has undergone significant change recently due to
property real property sales, route mergers and bankruptcies, and
WHEREAS, residents of the City are stakeholders in any change that results in operational
modifications inconsistent with the historical railroad use of the track in their neighborhood, and
WHEREAS, the switching operations of railroad locomotives and cars have a potential to
become a nuisance if performed in residential neighborhoods.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the St. Louis Park City Council
that they are opposed to the construction of the new railroad interconnections of the Canadian
Pacific Railroad in St. Louis Park and endorse the use of the Minneapolis rail route and that the
City continue its efforts to gain cleanup of the industrial environmental contamination on railroad
property and continue to encourage moving the present switching operations from the Edgebrook
Park area to an industrial area to the West.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be distributed to State
legislative leaders and the affected railroad companies.
ATTEST:
Reviewed for Administration:
Adopt d ; y the City Council May 6, 1996
4 tufia
Mayor
App roved as to form and execution.
G%C/G�r
City Attorney
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