The Metro Board of Directors advanced a plan to modernize Union Station last week without finding a resolution to a dispute that could complicate the project, known as Link US, in the future.

The sticking point lies 3 miles south of Union Station, at a private rail storage yard in the city of Vernon.

Metro’s current plan involves expanding that storage yard to make up for the loss of space at a different yard near the station. Both yards are owned by freight giant BNSF.

It’s a proposal that has incensed Vernon leaders and business owners who, despite Metro’s assurances to the contrary, believe the expansion of the rail yard in their city will worsen already-congested streets, increase pollution and jeopardize emergency response times.

Vernon leadership had asked Metro to remove the sto

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