Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Pan Am Official Says NH Rail 'quiet zones' a Safety Hazard

(SOURCE:  Seacoast Online)

PORTSMOUTH — City councilors tried but couldn't get all the commitments they wanted from Pan Am Railways Executive Vice President Cynthia Scarano, and they weren't shy about showing their unhappiness with the entire process.

Scarano told the council Monday night that the number of rail cars carrying propane from the Sea-3 propane terminal in Newington through Portsmouth would jump from between 1,000 and 1,500 to between 2,000 and 3,000 if the decision allowing the expansion of the Sea-3 facility is not overturned.

The city of Portsmouth has appealed the Newington Planning Board's decision to approve the expansion.

Scarano said the railroad company has already installed 5,000 new rails on the line that runs from Newington through the city of Portsmouth as part of a commitment they made to the town of Newington.

If the decision is not overturned, Pan Am would upgrade its tracks from Class 1 to Class 2 status, allowing them to move the cars at speeds up to 25 miles per hour.

When that happens, Pan Am would add 5,000 more new ties.

Scarano repeated Monday night that she didn't see any time in her lifetime "where we need to go more than that," meaning faster than 10 mph................ READ WHOLE ARTICLE

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