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The first phase of the Northern Rail Extension (NRE) project is under way with construction beginning on a bridge over the Tanana River in Salcha, Alaska Railroad Corp. (ARRC) officials recently announced.

Tomorrow, ARRC and government officials will attend a ceremony to mark the project’s start.

The multi-phased NRE project eventually will expand track infrastructure from North Pole/Eielson 80 miles southeast to Delta Junction. The project is expected to take three years to complete. The first phase calls for building a new bridge across the river and an associated levee. An environmental impact statement on the project was completed in 2010.