CRANDIC Railway's safety focus earns kudos

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - April 30, 2009 - In spite of one of the most challenging years in its history, the Cedar Rapids and Iowa city Railway Company (CRANDIC) has been recognized for exemplary safety performance in 2008.

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) recently announced that CRANDIC is a recipient of the Jake Award with Distinction. The ASLRRA represents more than 400 short line and regional railroads in North America. To receive the Jake Award with Distinction, a railroad must have a yearly Frequency/Severity Index (FSI) rate lower or equal to the industry average. The FSI is based on the number of employees, total work hours and the seriousness of injuries occuring over the course of the year. CRANDIC's 79 employees had zero recordable injuries in 2008 and a 0.00 FSI rate.

That would be impressive in a normal year, but 2008 was anything but normal, according to CRANDIC Vice President and General Manager, Kevin Burke. A snowy winter and heavy spring rains resulted in historic flooding, which caused widespread damage to CRANDIC's main lines. "Repairs were extensive and time consuming. Given the many hardships we faced, we're extremely proud of the focus and dedication our employees demonstated," Burke explained.

This is the fourth year CRANDIC has recieved the Jake Award, which Burke says confirms the company has its priorities straight. "Nothing ranks above safety. You simply can't be successful or profitable in the long run without a safe work environment."

CRANDIC, an Alliant Energy Transportation company, owns and operates more than 100 miles of main line and switching track in four east central Iowa counties. CRANDIC has thrived for more than 100 years as a valuable business partner to eastern Iowa shippers, providing safe and efficient freight services 365 days per year.