Government

GLBR: Down The Line

The Great Lakes Basin Railroad (GLBR) was conceived in 2009 as a way to alleviate rail freight congestion through the Chicago rail yards and provide other benefits to manufacturers and freight companies and to their customers.00000179-e1ff-d2b2-a3fb-ffffd78a0000It progressed from concept to serious plans over the next several years and, in March 2016, the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) gave notice that it would prepare an environmental impact statement on the proposed route and scheduled 10 public hearings.Those hearings uncovered controversy in many areas along the originally proposed route and its subsequent variations as affected residents and others protested what they saw as negative aspects of GLBR.With the recent request by Great Lakes Basin Transportation, parent company of GLBR, to pause the STB environmental study, WNIJ News determined that an update in the status is due.This five-part series, which began Monday, Dec. 12, looks at the following aspects of the GLBR project:Part One: What is the Great Lakes Basin Railroad? WNIJ's Jenna Dooley and Susan Stephens discuss the project and its plans.Part Two: What does the GLBR project mean for the environment? WNIJ's Jenna Dooley explores the possible environmental impact of the proposed route.Part Three: How will the GLBR acquire land for the proposed route? WNIJ's Chase Cavanaugh explains the options available to the railroad for getting the property it will need.Part Four: How do affected landowners feel about the GLBR project? WNIJ's Susan Stephens talks with property owners who would be affected along the proposed route.Part Five: What could the GLBR project mean for local economies? WNIJ's Guy Stephens talked with an enthusiastic Rochelle official and Chase Cavanaugh found more ambivalence from economic planners in Rockford about the potential value of the railroad.

Beloit-Area State Lawmakers Try To Stop A Train By Changing State Law

Northern Public Radio | By Susan Stephens

Published December 3, 2016 at 11:45 AM CST

Two Wisconsin lawmakers say they are looking into changing state law to prevent a proposed railroad project from forcing people to sell their land. The Great Lakes Basin Railroad would swing 261 miles through Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin in an attempt to relieve train congestion in the Chicago area.

The proposal has infuriated many landowners in the region who don’t want to be forced to sell portions of their property to the private company under eminent domain. Wisconsin State Rep. Mark Spreitzer and State Sen. Janis Ringhand say they’re looking at how they can change their state’s eminent domain laws, which they feel are antiquated.

"Obviously we had a governmental interest in getting the transcontinental railroad across the United States, and otherwise developing rail for our economy," said Spreitzer, "I think those interests have changed in 100 years, and that's why we need to look at the law."

Ringhand added, "That's huge, looking back at why this is being allowed at this time when rail hasn't played a major part in our economy for many years."

Ringhand says one option she is looking into is removing eminent domain power from private companies. Each state has its own rules regarding eminent domain.