A concept that would utilize the CRANDIC rail line for a battery-powered passenger rail between Iowa City and North Liberty is on hold, after the railroad told local stakeholders that leasing the line is not a viable option with “many parts of the ultimate vision yet to be determined.” Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan made […]
A concept that would utilize the CRANDIC rail line for a battery-powered passenger rail between Iowa City and North Liberty is on hold, after the railroad told local stakeholders that leasing the line is not a viable option with “many parts of the ultimate vision yet to be determined.”
Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan made the announcement at the board’s meeting Jan. 30.
“It looks like all the different options for train service between Iowa City and North Liberty are pretty much on hold for now, just because they (CRANDIC) seem to have changed their minds. So that's disappointing to hear, but we'll just have to move on from there,” he said.
Johnson County officials have spent years evaluating public transit possibilities for the CRANDIC rail line, a short corridor linking Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. One of the latest proposals under consideration has been a three-year pilot program with
Pop-Up Metro, a transit firm that offers a turnkey solution with battery-powered train cars, charging stations, modular platforms and maintenance services – all leased as a package.
The eight-mile segment that would have connected Penn Street in North Liberty to Dubuque Street in Iowa City was seen as a solution to the area’s steady growth, and had public support from various entities in Johnson County.
“Our region continues to grow and our largest employer, the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, is opening a new facility in North Liberty that will need to address critical parking and transportation needs for its workforce,” Greater Iowa City, Inc.’s website stated
in a 2024 May blog post that promoted commuter rail service using the CRANDIC line.
CRANDIC cited a range of factors in its decision, pointing to “liability considerations, regulatory concerns and related impacts on the shipping community for the movement of freight into and out of the region.”
“CRANDIC has been nothing but supportive through all the inquiries related to exploring transit solutions along the railway and the recent decision was both surprising and disappointing,” said Nancy Bird, president and CEO of Greater Iowa City, Inc. “Having said that, we remain committed to working toward a cohesive regional transportation network in Johnson County and are now ready if this direction ever changes.”
Chair of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, Jon Green, said he was disappointed but not surprised by the change of heart, given the "sudden and cataclysmic regulatory uncertainty we now find ourselves in."
"As evidenced by our longstanding and deep investments, Johnson County remains committed to expanding safe, efficient and convenient transit options, and we will continue engaging with private and public entities to that end," he told the CBJ in an email.
“We are open to continued discussions as circumstances and details evolve,” a spokesperson with CRANDIC told the CBJ.