BNSF Railway will initiate a clean-up and safety initiative of its right-of-way through the Village over the next 6 weeks, requiring the removal of undergrowth and installation of a coated-chain link fence.
The current condition along the BNSF Railway right-of-way is favorable to pests and significant overgrowth that makes this area challenging to maintain. During inspection of the right-of-way, BNSF also discovered that some residents are using railroad property to park personal vehicles or expand backyards. The guardrail and fencing project is important for public safety and the safety of BNSF employees. Specifically, BNSF plans to ensure that pedestrians, unauthorized vehicles and other equipment do not mistakenly enter BNSF right-of-way and cause an incident impacting railroad property or operations.
As part of this initiative, BNSF will install a coated chain link fence along the railroad’s property line and all vegetation less than 6 inches in diameter will be removed and mulched on site. Any private fence along the property line in place before November 28, 2022 will be kept and BNSF will install fencing on either side. If no fencing is in place, BNSF will install a standard chain link fence.
The residential uses that have encroached into the right-of-way will be removed as part of this process. Residents that have constructed structures on railroad property will receive communication from BNSF with instructions on how to proceed.
For questions or concerns, please email Peter Skosey, Executive Director of State Government Affairs at Peter.Skosey@BNSF.com.