Letter: Improve rail traffic in Mosier

The citizens of Mosier, Ore., and Wasco County commissioners missed an opportunity in October to improve local air quality when they denied the request by Union Pacific Railroad to widen its track from single-track to double-track along a 4-mile stretch through Mosier.

Unfortunately, this government decision negatively impacts air quality for residents on both sides of the Columbia River.

Every time we transfer a ton of freight from the roads to the rails, we cut diesel consumption by two-thirds. This results in lower diesel particulate emissions as well as lower overall emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen, and thus decreased oil imports as well.

Union Pacific wants to eliminate this single-track chokepoint on one of its heavier-traveled east-west routes, and thus reduce the idling of diesel locomotive engines as trains wait to pass through this chokepoint.

Union Pacific has a reputation for installing more of the newer-technology concrete railroad ties than many other freight railroads, thus providing safer long-term rail traffic.

If Native Americans and hikers are concerned about access, a pedestrian walkway built over the rail line would solve the problem, like the one built over the tracks at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.

I urge Union Pacific and Mosier’s citizens to reconsider, to improve traffic flows, rail safety, air quality, and noise conditions in this scenic area. People and wildlife will benefit.