WCGroup Support for Northwoods Rail Transit Commission.
Posted 05/16/2013
WCGroup counsel attended NRTC's meeting at Rhinelander on 3/27/2013. CN representatives participated. WisDOT presented results of a shipper survey, as a general proposition, indicated ample traffic potential for the lines. WisDOT is planning a further economic development study. WCG reported on its assistance, pro bono, providing NRTC draft legal documents to extend NRTC membership to include counties in Upper Michigan, as WCGroup had previously recommended.
Following the meeting, WisDOT shared details of the shipper study for follow-up. Again for CN's development of a plan to prioritize and systematically develop additional density on the lines, detailed origin-destination data is needed from interested shippers. This effort is on WCGroup's agenda and, we anticipate, following review by the CN Advisory Board in July, may be on the agendas of the CN/WCGroup Log and Intermodal Committees.
Canadian National's consideration of proposals for shortline operation of extremely light density CN/WC lines (north of Prentice, west to Ladysmith and east to Bradley, west of Pembine to Rhinelander and connecting with CN at Wausau) remains a work in progress. See WCG's policy statement.