Essential Estrogen

Iowa Congressmen Bruce Braley and Dave Loebsack, both Democrats representing flood-ravaged eastern Iowa, are requesting federal support for state railroad bridges that were destroyed by flood waters.

Flooding in eastern Iowa destroyed three railroad bridges: the Iowa Northern Bridge in Waterloo, the Cedar River Bridge in Cedar Rapids and the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Bridge near Columbus Junction.

Loebsack, who represents the 2nd Congressional District that includes Cedar Rapids and Columbus Junction, and Braley, who represents the 1st Congressional District that includes Waterloo, have penned a joint letter to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to request that the bridges be quickly repaired and destroyed.

“Iowa’s rail lines are critical to businesses small and large throughout our state, and we must act quickly to repair the rail infrastructure damaged during the recent floods,” said Loebsack. “Two separate rail bridges have been destroyed in the Second District, and a third bridge in Waterloo must also be replaced. Congressman Braley and I are committed to seeing these bridges quickly rebuilt and necessary repairs made to the rail lines. We will continue to work with Speaker Pelosi, Congressional leadership, and the Federal Railroad Administration to ensure continued federal assistance is available so our communities, economy, and businesses can recover from this disaster.”

The letter advocates changes to the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program, which provides low-interest loans for railroads to construct and rehabilitate infrastructure. Braley and Loebsack would like to see flexible terms for railroad loans during natural disasters such as the recent Iowa floods.

"These repairs are essential to getting life back to normal for many Iowa residents, producers and businesses," said Braley. "Waterloo's Iowa Northern Bridge connected John Deere's Waterloo Works to the country, and it is important that we act quickly to restore access to this vital facility. As Iowans continue down the road to recovery, it is essential for all of us to work together to help rebuild eastern Iowa."

In the joint letter, the congressmen note that since the creation of the railroad infrastructure program in 1998 no railroad has defaulted on payment, including four Iowa railroad loans. The congressmen state that they believe these changes to be "a low-cost way to leverage the maximum amount of private investment in needed repairs and to target that investment on the most serious and expensive needs."