Coal trains through Seattle will snarl traffic and could delay police and fire crews in emergencies, a study commissioned by the Seattle Department of Transportation concluded.
The study showed traffic at railroad crossings could be delayed by several hours each day if a mile-and-a-half-long coal trains are allowed to travel through the city.
A proposed coal export terminal at Cherry Point in Whatcom County could lead to as many as 18 coal trains a day through Seattle. The coal, mined in Wyoming, would be sold to markets in Asia.
The study said the trains could also increase police and fire response times.
Developer SSA Marine promises there will be a full environmental review of the coal terminal project.
