CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners are urging residents to attend a meeting at the Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School next week regarding the proposed reopening of a rail line for waste hauling.
“We will be there,” said Commissioner Chairman Joan Robinson-McMillen. “We are opposed to the reopening of the rail line.”
According to a May 2008 article, RJ Corman is looking to reactivate a 20-mile stretch of the Beech Creek rail line from Wallaceton Borough to Gorton in Centre County for a new quarry, landfill and industrial park that is being developed by Resource Recovery, LLC.
The meeting on Feb. 10 is being held by the Surface Transportation Board. The board is looking for public comment on the proposed reopening of the line. As a part of this the STB is looking to do a full environmental review.
Commissioner Mark McCracken said the STB is looking four alternatives involving the rail line. These include the construction and operation of the rail line, an option involving the construction new interchange on I-80, an option involving improving the existing local road system and a no-action alternative.
McCracken noted that one of the alternatives included increased truck traffic off of the Interstate 80-Kylertown exit. He stated that the added truck traffic would negatively impact the surrounding area.
McCracken added that while the rails are removed, the option to have lines put in is still there.
“It’s very close to where people have built there homes,” said McMillen. “It’s (the rail line) not adding to value, it’s detracting.”
The commissioners also noted that the train traffic would come through Clearfield and Bradford Township.
“We would like to see new businesses but we need to be selective,” said McMillen.
The meeting is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. For those unable to attend comments can be sent to:
Danielle Gosselin
Surface Transportation Board
395 E. Street, SW
Washington, DC 20423
Comments may also be submitted online. All comments must be postmarked by Feb. 24, 2009