BNSF not happy with potential new law

Mississippi River shorelines
could be open to public

BNSF is not pleased.

Not after a bill passed now allows Wisconsin residents the freedom to cross railroad tracks pretty much wherever they can’t get to the Mississippi River.

Burlington Northern spokesperson Amy McBeth says the company is disappointed the bill passed the Wisconsin state assembly.

Before it did, people could only cross at designated areas, or fear being cited for trespassing, which consisted of 100 of miles of Mississippi shoreline.

“We believe the only safe place to cross railroad tracks is at designated crossings,” McBeth said.

Author of the bill, Rep. state rep. Lee Nerison from Westby, Wis., contends the rail company’s crackdown on track crossers meant that people who live along the Mississippi were often denied access to it without breaking law. 

The bill still has to pass the senate and get a signature from Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker before becoming law. 

“The end of the day, it’s about public safety,” McBeth said. “We know that the safest, best and legal place to cross railroad tracks is at these designated crossings.”