STB Issues Draft EA for Proposed CSXT, CPKC Acquisitions of Ala., Miss. Rail Line
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
This map shows the lines of Genesee & Wyoming-owned Meridian & Bigbee Railroad (MNBR) in relation to other rail lines in the territory and the principal geographic points in the region traversed. (Map Courtesy of CPKC)
The Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) on March 18 issued a Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) for CSX Transportation’s (CSXT) request to acquire and operate the assets comprising the rail line of Genesee & Wyoming-owned Class III Meridian & Bigbee Railroad, L.L.C. (MNBR) that runs approximately 93.7 miles between Burkville and Myrtlewood, Ala., and Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) request to acquire from MNBR and to operate approximately 50.4 miles of rail line between Meridian, Miss., and Myrtlewood, Ala.
According to STB, CPKC and CSXT are seeking Board approval to establish the new interchange connection in Alabama and freight corridor linking Mexico, Texas and the U.S. Southeast. STB on Nov. 3 accepted for consideration their applications.
The Draft EA (download below), STB says, analyzes the potential environmental impacts of both the CSXT and the CPKC transactions. OEA invites the public to review and submit comments on all aspects of the Draft EA. Comments are due by April 17, 2024.
