Two Rail Accidents in Two Days, Two Too Many

The inevitable happened in Wisconsin this past weekend as the state suffered not one, but two separate cargo train accidents. 

photo by Matthew Seckora , Daily News

The first, 25 BNSF tanker trains derailed Saturday morning about 8:50 am, 2 miles north of the town of Alma (pop. about 800) as 2 cargo cars emptied approximately 20,000 gallons of ethanol into the Mississippi River. Two highways, 35 and 37, were temporarily closed with a voluntary evacuation of the area. Residents returned to the area as disclaimers later stated the spill was of no danger to its inhabitants. Of course, this does not address the possible damage done to wildlife in this recreational area as the beginning of the annual tundra swan migration has begun. Alma is a main stopping/feeding area for these thousands of birds along Rieck's Lake and the Buffalo.

photo courtesy of Karl Zarling, nearby Watertown resident

The second incident occurred in Watertown, an western suburb of Milwaukee as Canadian Pacific had 11 crude oil tanker cars that derailed about 2 p.m. on Sunday. The spillage/leak was stabilized and 'plugged' while 35 area residents were asked to evacuate.

The good news for both accidents is that no one was injured, there was no fire either. The bad news this time is the spillage and its long term effects. These are the risks of continuing the transport of volatile substances in unsafe rail cars on railways and infrastructure which still remain to be updated/repaired. 

How long will we have to wait until there is accountability? It's time for our safety to come before profit.