Economy

Former Davenport Mayor Gluba Testifies at Railroad Merger Hearing

WVIK, Quad Cities NPR | By Michelle O'Neill

Published September 29, 2022 at 2:16 PM CDT

Screenshot of a slide Former Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba used as he testified during an STB hearing in Washington, DC

Former Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba says the merger of two railroads would create a "clear and present danger" to cities and towns along the tracks.

He spoke on the first day of a hearing in Washington DC about Canadian Pacific's application to buy Kansas City Southern.

Screenshot of former Davenport Mayor Gluba as he listens to the next speaker at the STB hearing

Gluba accused CP officials of a complete lack of sensitivity to Davenport residents and the city's popular riverfront, and the possibility of derailments. He also told the board its members have the power to prevent deaths in the future, and suggested the construction of a tunnel under U.S. Highway 67 for trains to bypass the city's riverfront.

The former mayor also asked the Surface Transportation Board to work with Canadian Pacific to create a $3 billion mitigation fund for communities to use. That amount is about 10% of the railroad's $31 billion acquisition.

The lengthy hearing may stretch into early next week. It's live-streamed on the Surface Transportation Board's YouTube channel HERE. And recordings of the hearing are also available.