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On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) met with BNSF Railway Co. Chairman and Chief  Executive Officer Matt Rose to discuss plans to rebuild a 20-mile segment of track and two bridges near Churchs Ferry, N.D.

The track, which was closed several times in spring because of flooding, is used by BNSF and Amtrak Empire Builder trains traveling through Devils Lake, Rugby, Minot, Fargo, Grand Forks, Stanley and Williston, N.D.
 
Earlier this year, BNSF committed to funding one-third of the $100 million project and working with Amtrak to help finance another third. The state of North Dakota would need to provide the remainder, said Hoeven in a prepared statement.
 
The senator approached U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to generate support for the state’s application seeking a $33 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery III, or TIGER III, grant for the project.
 
Costs for the project will be shared, “demonstrating real collaboration among partners,” said Hoeven. And since the trackwork benefits both freight- and passenger-rail service, “it clearly enhances economic competitiveness for the entire region, and has both statewide and national benefits,” he said.