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Housing committee backs recommendation to accept Whittemore easement for Lehi Street freight-rail reconstruction
Summary
The Lawrence City Housing Committee voted to recommend that the full council accept an easement from Whittemore Company and Glenn Street Associates to rebuild and realign freight rail serving the Lawrence Industrial Park on Lehi Street, a project officials said will reduce sharp curvature that has contributed to derailments.
The Lawrence City Housing Committee voted to forward a recommendation to the full council to accept easements from the Whittemore Company and Glenn Street Associates so the city can complete reconstruction of an industrial freight rail spur that serves the Lawrence Industrial Park at Lehigh/Lehi Street.
"This is the continuation of that project," Daniel McCarthy, planning director for the city of Lawrence, said, describing prior work that rebuilt roughly a quarter-mile of track and explaining that the next phase will move a rail alignment to eliminate a currently sharp curve. "It currently turns into the industrial park at a more than 30 degree curve, which, CSX and MBTA say is too sharp a curve to negotiate and safely," McCarthy said. The planned work will reduce that curvature to about 15 degrees, McCarthy added, which the committee was told will accommodate larger cars and improve safety.
Leon Saint Germain, plant manager for Whittemore Company, described the line as the company's "lifeblood" and said upgrading century-old track is necessary for operations. "The new curve that they're putting in is gonna be a 15 degree curve, and that will accommodate the larger rail cars, bigger engines, and safety aspect as well," Saint Germain said.
Committee members noted the project has been in development for several years and said upgrades serve both safety and economic-development goals. Councilor Stephanie Fonte, vice president and district D representative, said she supported the project and thanked the city, Whittemore and state stakeholders for ongoing coordination.
On a motion to send the item to the full council with a favorable recommendation, seconded by Councilor Fidelina Santiago, the committee voted in the affirmative. The item now advances to the full council for final action.
McCarthy and Whittemore representatives said the easement will allow the city and freight operators to reroute the spur off Glen Street, reduce curvature, and continue work already begun to improve industrial rail service that leaders say will help prevent derailments and support larger freight cars and engines.
The committee recorded the motion as a favorable recommendation to the city council; committee members did not request additional materials before sending the item forward.
