For Hoyer, There's No Escaping Hazardous Trains

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HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER STENY HOYER finds himself in a tough position. The powerful Maryland Democrat, who represents parts of Prince George's County and Southern Maryland, works day to day on Capitol Hill, which sits in close proximity to tracks that have carried trains holding hazardous materials for generations.

But two of the options that have been floated to steer that dangerous cargo away from the seat of the nation's legislative branch take those trains on routes through the congressional district he represents. And those residents likely remember what can happen if something goes wrong with such trains, as it did during the 2001 toxic tunnel fire in Baltimore.

The Post's Philip Rucker reports that the National Capital Planning Commission is considering three options to reroute trains carrying hazardous materials — two through Maryland and one through a proposed eight-mile-long "secure underground tunnel" under the District, which trains would enter from Potomac Yard in Alexandria and emerge in Maryland. (Here is a map showing the different options.)

Says Hoyer:

While I remain supportive of efforts to secure the national capital region by reducing the threats posed by hazardous cargo, I would be strongly opposed to any plan that would only shift the potential risk to other parts of the region.

» "D.C. Hazardous Rail Shipments Saga Continues" [Free Ride/Express]
» "Effects of Catastrophic Events on Transportation System Management and Operations: Howard Street Tunnel Fire; Baltimore City, Maryland; July 18, 2001" [U.S. DOT]
» "Continuity of Government: Who's on Deck?" [Free Ride/Express]
» "Study Proposes Rerouting Hazmat Trains to Maryland" [WaPo]
» "Proposed Alternative Routes for Freight Trains" [WaPo]
» "Hell on Wheels" [WaPo]

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