Railways
NWRA POSITION
The construction of rail spurs to connect waste and recycling facilities to railway mainlines should be incentivized as part of the federal infrastructure investment plan.
BACKGROUND
Municipalities producing large volumes of household waste are relying more upon rail to transport it to landfills and recycling facilities. Transportation of waste by train is more cost-effective, increases fuel efficiency, produces fewer emissions, and reduces road congestion.
The reliability and speed of freight rail transport offers creative solutions to challenging waste transportation issues. This is not only good for business, but also alleviates concerns of those who live near landfills.
The construction of rail spurs to connect facilities to the mainlines of railways is a prime example of green infrastructure that should be incentivized as part of a comprehensive restructuring of our nation’s infrastructure priorities. Such projects should also be granted expedited permitting on account of the numerous benefits they bring.
NWRA also supports efforts to promote awareness for safe and effective rail crossing to protect both the freight rail that is transporting the waste and drivers of the community where these new rail spurs will be constructed. NWRA is committed to providing our members with the tools for outreach efforts to communities to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
TALKING POINTS
- Transportation of waste by train is more cost-effective, increases fuel efficiency, produces fewer emissions, and reduces road congestion.
- The construction of rail spurs to connect facilities to the mainlines of railways is a prime example of green infrastructure that should be incentivized and granted expedited permitting as part of a comprehensive restructuring of our nation’s infrastructure priorities.
- NWRA supports efforts to promote awareness for safe and effective rail crossing to protect both the freight rail that is transporting the waste and drivers of the community where these new rail spurs will be constructed.
