Fearing disaster, northwest Minn. officials urge Dayton to address rail safety

Local officials from across northwest Minnesota told Gov. Mark Dayton on Tuesday that they are concerned about a catastrophic oil train accident in their communities.

More than 50 oil trains a week now pass through Minnesota, and other rail traffic is increasing as well.

But local officials and emergency response personnel also are troubled by traffic congestion caused by more frequent trains blocking streets and highways.

Perham mayor Tim Meehl said an oil train accident similar to one late last year in Casselton, North Dakota would "wipe us out." An oil train collided with another train just outside Casselton, causing oil tank cars to explode and burn. No one was injured in the accident.

Meehl said Perham, a city of 3,000 needs an overpass across the rails so emergency vehicles aren't delayed, but can't afford the cost.

Moorhead Mayor Del Rae Williams said the increase in train traffic affects public safety, business development and general quality of life for residents.

Dayton told local officials he wants to know what it will cost communities to respond to significant rail traffic increases. He said railroads should help pay to improve safety and reduce congestion.

As the problem isn't going away, the governor said, the state needs to make long-term decisions about safety.

"Everyone's just trying to put band aids on it," Dayton said. "We really need to sit down and say, 'What's it going to take to do the next 10 to 20 years and have the capacity to accomplish everything we need to accomplish?'"

Williams said he is pleased that state officials are listening to local concerns about rail safety.

"I think the resources are there for making sure we are prepared," Williams said. "And secondarily, I think it's important for somebody like the governor to be in a position to talk to people he can talk to that can move things along so they can be safer everywhere."

Starting later this month the Minnesota Department of Public Safety will offer a rail safety training course to first responders and school officials in communities along the oil train routes.

The governor also announced Moorhead firefighters will receive additional funding to expand a regional emergency response team to assist local firefighters across northern Minnesota.