DM&E 11th Avenue NE Overpass Impact
by Michael LaPlante, President ESPNA

The Post-Bulletin published in its Wednesday February 23 issue, articles concerning the construction of grade separations due to the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern (DME) railroad expansion project. The gist of the articles are that as train traffic increases certain roads with high car-train traffic exposure rates will meet state standards for grade separations (overpasses and underpasses). In the Eastside Pioneers Neighborhood, 11^th Avenue NE would be a candidate for an overpass.

How would the construction of an overpass impact our neighborhood? The projected length of the overpass would likely stretch from E. Center St. to somewhere around 5^th St. NE. This would mean the loss of 30 homes and no doubt a hike in taxes to help pay for the overpass (cost to the taxpayers for an overpass estimated at $3-$6 million).

In this time of shortage of affordable family homes, one has to wonder why should we have to incur these kind of public costs for private profits? The lucrative coal industry is the impetus behind DME’s expansion project. DME stands to make a hefty profit hauling coal out east. What do our cities, towns and rural communities stand to gain? Despite claims to the contrary by DME we will derive little if anything from their coal train project.

What can be done to save our neighborhood from DME? Come to our next neighborhood association meeting, Thursday March 9, 6:30 pm Holmes School gym. We are not alone in our efforts. We have a good chance to stop this project dead in its tracks.