BNSF Railway's request to abandon a 21-mile branchline between Lewistown and Moore, Montana has been approved by the Surface Transportation Board.
Opposition to the abandonment had been filed by Fergus County, Montana last month, as it will affect numerous potential online grain shippers, as well as lumber and other goods to and from Lewistown.
BNSF contends that the line has seen a steady decline in rail traffic for years, with a 2003 washout that was never repaired, essentially spelling the end for the route. "Projected business volumes (on the line) do not support operating costs," said BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas in Seattle. "This was a business decision."
Lewistown and Fergus County officials said they are working to get ownership of the spur, betting that it could be a selling point for industry looking to locate in the area. "There isn't anybody right at the moment looking, but down the road who knows, and once you lose (the track) completely, then there's no chance," Fergus County Commissioner Ken Ronish said.
Abandonment of the line will eliminate 39 public and 15 private railroad crossings, mostly in Lewistown. BNSF has said it considered the large number of crossings a safety concern. The abandonment also allows BNSF to salvage the track and ties for scrap.
Lewistown officials have filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board to "railbank" the line, a process frequently used to transform abandoned rail beds into trails, or to allow for other local ownership.
If the railroad agrees to negotiate with the city and county, it would be the second round of talks over the fate of the line.
BNSF offered the line's right of way to the county three years ago at no cost. The county declined the offer because it required the county to accept liability for cleanup of soil contamination along the line.
Abandoning the line also is expected to affect local tax coffers. Fergus County collects more than $100,000 in property taxes from BNSF each year, most of which goes to local schools and fire districts. Abandonment of the spur line could trim that amount by as much as a quarter or a third, Ronish said.
