WISCONSIN CENTRAL EXPANDS MIDWEST SERVICE THROUGH BNSF-CN DEAL

WISCONSIN CENTRAL EXPANDS MIDWEST SERVICE THROUGH BNSF-CN DEAL    The Wisconsin Central System reached agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. and Canadian National Railway Co. to expand its merchandise freight services through the upper Midwest and Ontario, Canada.
   WC's secured haulage rights are an expansion of a marketing agreement the railroad has developed with CN and BNSF, giving WC access to some 10,000 route miles, including trackage rights in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri, along with Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Ontario.
   Meanwhile U.S. Surface Transportation Board hearings continue today on U.S. rail mergers, where speakers have largely opposed a merger proposal by CN and BNSF. WC has supported the merger.