DM&E: Good News Yet The Problem Still Remains

02/26/2007

Paul Munnis


Congratulations to Rep. Tim Walz for calling attention to the DM&E loan problem with the U.S. Department of Transportation Loan Committee and giving both leadership and testimony on the reasons why the loan should not have been granted.

For Rochester and many other communities along the rail-line there is great joy at the news that the loan is not going to be granted.

For DM&E there is great sadness, especially since the loan application rejection cannot be appealed in the Courts and they badly need to modernize their line for safety and performance reasons.

While the immediate threat is removed, the long-term threat remains. We have a rail line that bisects our city and it can and will be used by DM&E as financial conditions permit. For that reason area planners and the railroad need to work out a plan that is a winner for both parties. It is understandable that DM&E may be slow to engage with area planners but doing so will benefit them in the long run.

I am reminded of the speech by Rep. Oberstar and his point that as gas prices increase then rail becomes more vital to America for moving goods and people from point to point. Sooner or later DM&E will find a way to get market-share and then they will be rolling trains through Rochester once again. The next time it may be impossible to stop them.

So its time to continue to face the problems of the rail-line even though the immediate threat is reduced. We still need a solution and likely Rep. Walz will be asked to play an added role in obtaining Federal funding to implement a solution. He will likely be engaged in the planning and then in seeking Federal funds for a bridge, a tunnel, or for some other work-around solution.

We are lucky to have Rep. Walz in Washington right now. We need a friend in Washington and Rep. Walz seems to be that friend. Let’s treat him like the good friend that he really is.