N.D. officials boarding the “save Amtrak” express to DC
Kevin Bonham - 06/10/2011

With Amtrak’s Empire Builder suspended passenger rail service throughNorth Dakota entering its second consecutive weekend because of flooding in the @#$%& Lake Basin, a meeting is planned in Washington next week to discuss the threatened line’s future. The state’s congressional delegation and city and state officials will meet Wednesday with Joe Szabo, administrator for the Federal Railroad Administration and Joe Boardman, Amtrak president and CEO. Service along the line between Grand Forks, @#$%& Lake and Rugby has been suspended several times since April because of flooding in the @#$%& Lake Basin. “I’m pleased that the Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration understand the urgency of this matter,” Conrad said. “We are faced with a serious threat of @#$%& Lake flooding these rail lines. First and foremost we need to assess the line and bridges to ensure they remain safe for passengers. Then we need to evaluate all of the options for the future of this line. This meeting is going to offer everyone a real gut check.” The high water, wind and accompanying wave action have resulted on debris on the tracks and loss of ballast in the area of two bridges in a 17-mile span near Churchs Ferry, according to BNSF officials. A recent study indicates it would cost an estimated $100 million to raise the railbed, build new bridges and install new track. Amtrak leases the track, which is owned by BNSF. In Fiscal 2010, more than 33,300 passengers either boarded or got off the Empire Builder at Grand Forks, @#$%& Lake and Rugby combined. Total ticket revenue at the three stations was more than $2.9 million, according to an Amtrak report. Those attending the Washington meeting will include: Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.; Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D.; Rep. Rick Berg, R-N.D.; Gov. Jack Dalrymple; @#$%& Lake Mayor Richard Johnson; Ramsey County Commission Chair Joe Belford; and Grand Forks Mayor Mike Brown. @#$%& Lake, which has risen by about 32 feet since 1993, was at about 1,454.3 feet above sea level this week. The rail line is at 1,455 feet. Besides the east-west line through Churchs Ferry and @#$%& Lake, flooding also is threatening rail spurs that lead to grain elevators and other businesses in other basin communities. The latest suspension, which began June 1, is expected to last at least through Monday, according to Marc Magliari, Amtrak spokesman. Amtrak re-evaluates the situation every two business days. BNSF officials have been inspecting the bridges and the railbed, to make sure they are safe for travel. BNSF has not used the Minot-to-Grand Forks as a through route for freight in more than a year. It serves elevators and other businesses along the line by traveling from Grand Forks or Minot, without traveling over the threatened bridges near Churchs Ferry, then returning. The latest Amtrak rail service disruption extends from St. Paul to Seattle and Portland, affecting daily originations of Empire builder trains from Portland, Seattle andChicago. Empire Builder service is being maintained between Chicago and St. Paul. Some rail service also is being maintained between Portland/Seattle and Whitefish, Mont., with alternate transportation provided to East Glacier Park, Mont. The Empire Builder is not the only passenger train subjected to weather challenges. The California Zephyr also is being suspended between Denver and Chicago, because of predicted flood crests and four temporary levees built over BNSF track to help protect the cities of Omaha and Bellevue, Neb.