Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — 
Residents and city officials in Thief River Falls are frustrated once again! A recent incident involving Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) trains blocking all major crossings has sparked heated discussions among city leaders.
Key Details:
- Blocked crossings included Eighth, Third, First, and Nora Streets
- Pennington County Highway 8 railroad crossing near Challenger Elementary was also blocked
- Some crossings remained blocked for over an hour, far exceeding the 10-minute federal limit
- Emergency response was severely impacted, with only limited underpass access available
City Leaders Take Action 
Mayor Mike Lorenson and Council Member Steve Narverud have called for urgent discussions with CPKC to prevent future disruptions. They stressed the need for a new railroad spur north of the city to reduce bottlenecks.
Police Chief Marissa Adam expressed frustration over the lack of enforcement, stating:
“We want to cite the railroad for these violations, but they claim they don’t have to abide by state citations.”
City Attorney Delray Sparby is reviewing legal options, after referencing an Illinois court ruling where federal law overruled state laws on railroad blockages.
Businesses & Residents Left Stranded 
Local business owner Megan Arlt shared her growing concerns over repeated delays:
- “The crossings are often blocked during lunch hours, hurting our business.”
- Last summer, she waited over 2.5 hours at a blocked crossing near Thief River Golf Club!
Frustrating Response from CPKC:
Arlt called the railroad three times to report the blockage but was told each time:
“This is the first time we’ve been notified.”
What if there was an emergency?
This dangerous scenario has raised serious safety concerns for the community.
What’s Next? 
- City officials are pressing CPKC for better communication & solutions
Residents are encouraged to report blocked crossings using the blue & white Emergency Notification signs at crossings
City leaders are exploring legal options to hold CPKC accountable
How You Can Help:
Report blockages when they occur Call the railroad dispatch using the number on the blue & white signs Raise awareness by sharing this news
Did you know? 
- Federal law states that trains should NOT block crossings for more than 10 minutes
- Minnesota is among the worst states for railroad delays, affecting emergency response times
- Blocked crossings cost local businesses thousands in lost revenue each year
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News