Letter of Support for Canadian and Iowa Northern Railway Integration Copyrighted
April 15, 2024
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 05.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Letterof Supportfor Canadian and lowa Northern Railway Integration
SUM MARY: City Manager providing a copy of a letter of support on behalf of the City
of Dubuque in support of the Canadian and lowa Northern Railway
I ntegration
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File;Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Letter of Support Supporting Documentation
Du6uque
THE CITY OF � Office of the Mayor
AI�-llnene�si� City Hall
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, I Dubuque, IA 52001 4845
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April 3, 2024
The Honorable Martin J. Oberman, Chairman
SurFace Transportation Board
395 E. Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20423-0001
Re: Canadian National Railway Company and Grand Trunk Corporafion—Control—lowa
Northern Railway Company, Docket No. FD 36744
Dear Chairman Oberman:
I am writing in support of the integration of Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and lowa
Northern Railway (IANR), for the advancement and benefit of the state of lowa. As a public
official that serves the people of Dubuque, it is my responsibility to support policies and
regulatory efforts that will benefit my constituents—and this proposed combination would do just
that.
After experiencing significant supply chain issues these past few years on a statewide and
national scale, when an opportunity presents itself to improve the access and delivery of critical
goods, we must pursue it. Through CN and IANR's combination, agricultural goods will be
transported to major markets across the Midwest, like Chicago, more efficiently. Additionally,
shippers will be able to reach a higher number of agricultural processing centers, like feed mills
and soybean plants, enabling entry to different and more geographically diverse markets.
The marketplace will remain competitive and will enable shippers to continue choosing which
option best suits their business and output goals.
CN has called lowa home for many years and is looking to continue growing their business
within the state. This commitment to lowans should be rewarded as CN strives to build upon the
great work done over the years by the team at lowa Northern. I call on you and the rest of the
SurFace Transportation Board to do the right thing for lowa by approving this acquisition.
Sincerely,
ad M. Cava .0 , Mayor
City of Dubuque, lowa
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