Rail yard expansion plans to be discussed in West Brownsville
WEST BROWNSVILLE — Plans to expand the Norfolk Southern rail yard in the borough will be discussed at a town meeting next week.
Borough council President Pat Maxon said the meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the West Brownsville Volunteer Fire Department.
“At our last council meeting, there were three representatives of Norfolk Southern there,” Maxon said.
Maxon said increased coal train traffic is apparently resulting in a need to increase the size of the West Brownsville rail yard, possibly including the purchase of additional property. Maxon said a parcel on Main Street owned by the borough is one of the parcels being considered by Norfolk Southern. Council was asked to sign a right-of-entry document for that land for Norfolk Southern, but voted against signing it.
“Council felt that a town meeting should be held so the people could voice their concerns and we as council didn’t feel we had enough information to make an informed decision,” Maxon said.
Maxon said Wednesday’s meeting will give the railroad a chance to explain its plans and the public a chance to ask questions.
“We want our people to have a voice,” Maxon said.
Representatives of Norfolk Southern could not be reached Friday.