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Moffitt Leads Durbin on BNSF Galesburg Yard Tour
An Illinois Senator made his way to the area to hear from officials about the importance of a local railroad and it's potential for expansion.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, who was invited by 74th District Representative Don Moffitt, came to the area Thursday and visited Galesburg's largest employer and discussed possible expansion of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail yard, as well as funding for grade separations, improving the Galesburg Amtrak Depot and the development of the National Railroad Hall of Fame.

Representative Moffitt says he was pleased the senator came to see the city and rail yard and tells WGIL, building grade separations will have benefits throughout the community. "In the meantime the three grade separations that we've been talking about, would bring jobs, about six years of employment, then the improved emergency response, because (emergency vehicles) would not be blocked by trains," Moffitt said. "It eases the motoring public, further compliments of the city council to establish quiet zones. So we really need those grade separations."

Durbin says Galesburg can look forward to seeing the grade separations built. "(The Seminary Street crossing), we've made the most progress on it," Durbin said. "But we want to get all three done. Mark my words, we will get this done."

Other members of the Galesburg Community were also on hand for the meeting. Mayor Gary Smith, Mayor-Elect Sal Garza, Knox County Board Chairman Greg Bacon, Carl Sandburg College President and GREDA Chairman Tom Schmidt and BNSF officials spoke briefly with Durbin about their support for funding for area improvements that need to be made.

Durbin and Moffit arrived almost 20 minutes late for the tour of the rail yard tower because, Moffit says, they got stuck at multiple rail crossings which only enforced the point that the area needs the separations.


(Galesburg City Manager Dane Bragg, right, speaks to Senator Dick Durbin during Thursday's meeting at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Galesburg yards, while Knox County Board Chairman Greg Bacon, and GREDA Interim President Greg Mangieri, Center, listen.)


(Senator Dick Durbin, right, speaks while State Rep. Don Moffitt, Center, and Galesburg Mayor-Elect Sal Garza, left, listen. WGIL News Story and Photos by Dominic Fortini.)
04 16 09 by Newsroom
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