As our families and businesses struggle to navigate uncertain times, the importance of the supply chain, and how it serves us all, has become even more clear. While not on the front lines of COVID-19 medically, companies that move goods and workers devote themselves every day, even during a crisis, to keeping our economy running.
America’s interconnected network of trains, trucks, planes and ships moving 54 tons of goods for every American each year is at the core of this effort. For instance, eight freight railroads operate over 1,300 miles of track in Utah. These companies and their employees help to keep our store shelves stocked with food and essential consumer items, move the chemicals required for medicines and keeping our water supply safe, haul energy products to support electricity demands, and so much more.
Like other businesses, the freight rail network is appropriately deemed “critical infrastructure” by the federal government. Thousands of railroad employees and contractors are working 24/7 to keep the supply chain running in support of our communities.
Thank you to all the railroad men and women, along with all transportation employees, putting themselves at risk to keep the trains running and supply chains open during troubled times.
Michael Gaynor
Columbus, Ohio
