Train traffic in the City of Washington could quadruple in a few years as the Canadian Pacific Railway is seeking to acquire the Kansas City Southern.

The two railroads filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board seeking authorization last October, and Washington Economic Development Group Executive Director Mary Audia coordinated a Zoom meeting held last week that included representation from Canadian Pacific, City of Washington, Washington County Emergency Management Agency, County Engineer’s Office, Iowa Department of Transportation, East Central Iowa Council of Governments, Board of Supervisors, Washington Chamber of Commerce, and other area emergency agencies to discuss the impacts of the merger that would potentially increase the average number of trains that go through Washington from 4.2 to 16 per day.

Audia comments on how this merger to connect rail networks from Canada to Mexico could impact Washington County, “It might provide benefits to our shippers. We have local companies that currently use the rail lines and what the railroad is proposing is that by having this straight shot from Canada to Mexico, it will lower transit times and increase efficiency.”

The increased train traffic would have an impact on vehicles and pedestrians that cross the railroad, especially in Ainsworth where the railroad divides the northern residential area from Highway 92 and the fire station on the south side. The Surface Transportation Board won’t decide on the merger authorization until likely the fall of this year, with a gradual increase in train traffic in the years following. Future local meetings are anticipated to focus on engineering, safety, and industry impacts, and you can find more information on the proposed merger here.