Minneapolis officials have reached a compromise with BNSF Railway over the company's abrupt decision last year to expand tracks in northeast Minneapolis, cutting through some backyards and possible city land in the process.
After an outcry from neighbors, the railroad agreed to build a sound barrier atop the new three-block-long retaining wall it erected alongside a new track south of its Northtown Yard terminal. That barrier, built several months ago, is one of the conditions of a settlement approved by a City Council committee Tuesday.
The dispute began last fall when BNSF suddenly planted stakes showing its property line traveling through private yards and land claimed by the city. Because the company is not subject to the public process required for other transportation projects, it wasn't long before the railroad removed some yard fences and a tree barrier that shielded homes from the 75 trains that pass each day.
Several of those property owners are still negotiating with the railroad to reach agreements on their future use of the BNSF land for existing sheds and landscaping improvements, likely through a lease or conveyance.
"The sound wall I think was our biggest victory," said Kaline Sandven, who lives next to the project. "It's not trees, but it's better than nothing."
Dennis Rusinko, who lives across the street, said the new sound barrier will help reduce noise but can't replace what used to be there. "When you take trees away and shrubs away and flowers and things like that … there's no comparison between that and a wall," Rusinko said.
The settlement with the city allows both entities to continue claiming ownership over a disputed piece of land alongside a city cul-de-sac. But BNSF agreed it would be responsible for any damage to the city's infrastructure there — such as a sewer pipe — as a result of the project.
"We sat down with the city and we came up with an agreement that essentially protects everybody's interests and allowed the project to move forward," said BNSF spokeswoman Amy McBeth.
