Willmar railroad wye project to receive $10M

WILLMAR - Willmar officials have heard unofficially that the federal government has approved $10 million for the proposed railroad wye project to reduce train traffic through Willmar, but not the $15 million that had been requested.
Mayor Marv Calvin said Monday the city was told by Sen. Al Franken’s office that the project would receive the
$10 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant.
The wye project is a $48.83 million collaborative public-private effort involving Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, the City of Willmar, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission.
Calvin said the official announcement will be made Thursday.
“You can’t be too upset about getting $10 million,’’ Calvin said. “Anytime you can have a project like this, it’s a win-win for our community. It’s going to be a good project. But coming up with the additional $5 million is the other question.’’
The project would construct approximately 10,000 feet of track between two BNSF main lines and bypass Willmar to the west. It would provide greater rail network fluidity and capacity, and potentially relieve rail congestion in the Twin Cities and as far east as Galesburg, Illinois, officials say.
Besides diverting seven to 10 trains a day traveling through downtown Willmar and reducing train and vehicular conflicts, the wye would allow for increased economic activity with construction of a rail spur into the city’s new industrial park.