Train speed limit to increase in Portales

PORTALES — The speed limit for trains traveling through Portales will increase later this month, according to a letter to City Manager Sammy Standefer from Joe Sloan, a public affairs representative for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.

According to the letter, some crossings in Portales had been under a permanent slow order of 20 mph due to design issues. Sloan wrote that those crossings have been improved and, starting April 15, all crossings will have a 49 mph speed limit.

Standefer said he has reached out to Sloan and BNSF with some concerns including public safety following the speed increase and the potential for additional noise, but he was redirected to another person who Standefer has not spoken with yet.

Standefer said he respects BNSF’s process and “we’re trying to make sure we can live together and have a happy medium and coexist.”