Railroad Repairs in Iowa Could Take a Year

The CRANDIC railroad bridge over the Cedar River next to the Eighth Avenue bridge collapsed due to flooding on the Cedar River in downtown Cedar Rapids in mid-June. Shot Friday, June 27, 2008. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)

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Railroad Repairs in Iowa Could Take a Year

By Becky Ogann

DES MOINES (AP) - State officials say it could take up to year to repair and rebuild hundreds of miles of railroad tracks and 17 bridges damaged or destroyed by last month's flooding in Iowa.

The Iowa Department of Transportation say Iowa's freight trains had losses that could top $80 million.

In a report, the agency says the severity of the flood damage underscores the need for a statewide study for long-term flood strategies for transportation, including railroads.

Department spokeswoman Dena Gray-Fisher says the report has been sent to Iowa's congressional delegation to help House and Senate members develop plans for federal disaster assistance.
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Thursday, Jul 31 at 9:03 PM Commuter train and crandic line wrote ...

In order to rebuild the lines will cost a fortune. Why not put a commuter grade line between Iowa city and CR. The downtown CR could use the boom in business offered by game day crowds (besides all a the DUIs) and save the excessive wear and tear on 380 and 965. Gas is costing people a lot more money too, why not invest in something with some return.

Monday, Jul 28 at 9:32 AM No sympathy here wrote ...

Yeah! No 5:15 PM grid-lock stops on 8th Ave. for 20 minutes, while the train crawls by! What's not to love??

Saturday, Jul 26 at 1:24 AM MATT WILSON wrote ...

I RAN A TRAIN ONCE AND FOUND I WAS VERY EXPERIENCED... IM THINKIN ABOUT BEING AN TRAIN CONDUCTER

Thursday, Jul 24 at 3:45 PM Ben Dover wrote ...

My mistake..I guess the train that goes through about 5 o'clock is the one down by 10th St, over by Family Dollar on 1st Ave.

Thursday, Jul 24 at 3:10 PM RE: 1st Ave Crossing wrote ...

I thought the Union Pacific said they would not allow trains in the Downtown Area between 3&6?

Thursday, Jul 24 at 11:00 AM Ben Dover wrote ...

Does this mean there won't be any trains blocking 1st Avenue at rush hour for a year? WOO HOO!!!

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