Railroad delays train increase while city seeks loan

Thursday, Feb. 26, 1998 | 9:21 a.m.

The railroad on Wednesday said it will continue to limit the number of trains to about 14 per day until the federal Surface Transportation Board makes a decision on how increased rail traffic resulting from the merger of Union and Southern Pacific railroads should be handled in Reno.

The STB was scheduled to make a decision in April, but city officials have asked for a postponement while they seek federal funding.

STB staff has recommended faster speeds for trains through town to offset vehicle traffic delays at downtown railroad crossings.

"Union Pacific wants to work with city officials to address their concerns over the merger," said Robert Starzel, Union Pacific's western region vice president. "We agree that the city should have time in which to lay out its plans and see if they can be made to work."

Lowering the tracks was proposed last year. The city wanted Union Pacific to pay $100 million of the $186 million cost. Union Pacific offered $35 million.

The city has since hired two law firms to help lobby for a federal loan to cover some of the costs.