Posted Sep 22, 2018 at 10:00 AMUpdated Sep 22, 2018 at 10:20 PM
BONUS TOWNSHIP — Bo DeLong wants to build a Union Pacific rail connection in Boone County that will allow local farmers to transport their grain more quickly to customers in the southern United States and Mexico.
The owner of DeLong Co. Inc. in Clinton, Wisconsin, promises quicker delivery for local farmers without any disruptive noise or traffic issues for neighbors living in the shadows of the 122-acre project’s five grain bins, grain elevator and looped rail track.
He has submitted plans to Boone County officials, who are now considering a special-use permit, along with other requests, so DeLong can connect to the Union Pacific rail lines. Across the nation, grain shuttle trains have been replacing older methods of delivery that include trains carrying other products besides grain.
Deliveries can take two weeks because of stops and starts. The trains DeLong would fill would get to their destinations in two to three days.
“This ... is so much more efficient,” DeLong said. “There’s no switching cars in between.”
Boone County’s Zoning Board of Appeals advanced DeLong’s special-use permit, text amendment and variance requests Monday. DeLong will next state his case to the Planning, Zoning and Building Committee. Then it goes to the County Board.
Board Chairman Karl Johnson favors the project, commending DeLong for committing millions of dollars for construction, which could begin later this year.
If the project is approved, nonstop shuttle trains would begin arriving in May at the site on the northwest corner of U.S. 20 and Garden Prairie Road.
“It’s an exciting time in Boone County,” Johnson told the ZBA members Monday. “This is a great opportunity. It’s a big, big step and a great opportunity for us as a whole community.”
DeLong Co. Inc. began operations nearly 90 years ago to build one of the largest elevator/feed mills in the state. The company now has facilities in seven states and employs more than 300 people.
DeLong’s northeast Illinois operations entail seven grain elevators and two container export facilities. Its Garden Prairie and Marengo facilities are within miles of the Union Pacific rail lines.
Grain from local farmers would pile up in the silos. The 110-car trains would start arriving, spending about 12 to 15 hours to load. A total of about 27 loads would take place per year.
Having the new rail loop would reduce the need for transporting some of the grain by truck. Company officials estimate 1.2 million less miles by truck transportation per year.
County Board member Denny Ellingson has farmed grains. He has no profound problems with DeLong’s plans, but he would like to do some more research about how close the rail track should be to property lines.
Right now, the proposal involves 20-foot setbacks on all sides except to the south.
“Their plan is fine,” he said. “It could actually help Boone County. (But) I’ve really got to study it more.”
Neighbors don’t seem to mind.
“This noise is going to be no worse,” said Mary Brubach, owner of Susie’s Garden Patch in Garden Prairie. “It will actually be better than the Chrysler train that currently comes by there. We are completely in favor of having this railroad loop there.”
Susan Vela: 815-987-1392; svela@rrstar.com; @susanvela
Above is from: http://www.rrstar.com/news/20180922/boone-countys-bonus-township-could-get-looped-rail-track
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