RailWorks hosts legislative tour at Minnesota facility

Congressional staff of U.S. Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.) and Minnesota State Rep. Jon Koznick (R-Lakeville) earlier this month toured RailWorks Corp.'s facility in Lakeville, Minn.

Left to right: Keith Kortenbusch (RailWorks), Dennis Egan (Minnesota Regional Railroad Association), Larry Lloyd (GoRail), Koznick, Lynda Boudreau, Jim Hansen (RailWorks), Lindsey Collins (NRC) and Steve Kadrlik (RailWorks)

RailWorks builds and maintains infrastructure for railroads, transit lines and rail-served industries in the United States and Canada. Its Lakeville region has about 45 employees with an annual payroll of more than $4 million, according to a press release issued by the National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC), of which RailWorks is a member.

The company recently completed track construction for Flint Hill Resources and Cargill Inc. in the region, as well as for Metro Transit's Green Line and the Interchange in the Twin Cities.

During the visit, RailWorks officials, Koznick and Kline's staff discussed the company's concerns over Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton's proposal to raise taxes on railroads to pay for safety improvements throughout the state. The tax would affect railroads' ability to invest in their track, signals, rolling stock and new technology, company officials said.

Also attending the tour and meeting were representatives from NRC and GoRail, who advocated for support of federal legislation in Congress that would make permanent the 45G short-line tax credit.

RailWorks is a member of both NRC and GoRail.