NEW YORK--Union Pacific, the nation's largest railroad, is redirecting rail traffic from New Orleans to two other cities in preparation for a possible strike by Tropical Storm Gustav.
Rail traffic that normally flows through New Orleans is being redirected through Memphis, Tenn., and St. Louis, spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza said Thursday.
Espinoza says the company has received word that the floodgates in New Orleans may close on Saturday, which would prevent any rail traffic from moving into or out of the city. Floodgates are used to control the flow in reservoir, river, stream and levee systems.
Union Pacific employees are also moving equipment out of low-lying areas.
