More Diesel Trains. More Pollution. More Risk.

The Metro Link US / BNSF plan will significantly increase diesel freight traffic through Vernon — without fully studying the impact on our region's air, noise, and roadways.

Exhaust That Doesn’t Just Stay on the Tracks

More trains mean more diesel exhaust — and these aren’t modern electric trains. They’re high-emission freight engines that run close to workplaces and shipping corridors.

This plan could bring dozens of additional train trips per day, each contributing to airborne diesel particulate matter known to harm respiratory and cardiovascular health.

Noise, Vibration, and Traffic Disruption

Train horns, track vibration, and long delays at crossings will increase. This affects truck routes, access to facilities, and day-to-day operations of businesses across Vernon.

Metro's own documents acknowledge significant noise and vibration — yet the mitigation offered is unclear, underfunded, and unlikely to fully offset the burden.

A Flawed Environmental Review

Metro’s environmental review excluded meaningful analysis of alternative routes. Communities like Vernon deserve a fair, transparent, and complete look at less harmful options — but we didn’t get that.

The BNSF expansion plan skipped key steps in community engagement and minimized the long-term environmental tradeoffs of the project.