Concerns about increased railroad usage brought residents near the proposed Jasper Rail Park on the northeast edge of Newton to Tuesday’s Jasper County Board of Supervisors meeting. The Jasper County Board of Supervisors held public hearings about development of the proposed 400-acre industrial park around Iowa Interstate Railroad’s Renewable Energy Distribution Center. Due to a permanent bridge closure, fifteen homes on Iowa Street have one way into Newton. It’s over a road that Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks cross. Jean Ferguson says increased usage of the railroad from businesses that are located in the industrial park is a big concern when it comes to emergency situations.

“There will probably be more times that trains sit on the tracks. That allows for more times that something could happen and there could be an emergency and we have no way to get out, and the ambulance and fire department have no way to get it. So that leaves us in peril.”

Jasper County Board of Supervisors Chairman Brandon Talsma says Jasper County Emergency Management Agency Director Jamey Robinson has already been in contact with the railroad about keeping the amount of time the road is blocked by trains to a minimum. Talsma also says the Supervisors have already had tentative discussions about putting in a new road that would provide another way into town.