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The city of Peoria, Ill., recently filed an exemption notice with the Surface Transportation Board to build 1,800 feet of track over city-owned land.

Doing business as Peoria Heights & Western Railroad, the city plans to construct the track to connect a 1.9-mile segment it purchased from Union Pacific Railroad in 2001 with an 8.3-mile line Peoria acquired from the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Co. in 1984.

The former UP segment serves no shippers; the other line, three shippers.

After the track is complete, DOT Rail Service Inc. or another designated provider would serve the three shippers. The city plans to abandon about 7.5 track miles and use the right of way as a recreational trail — supervised by the Peoria Park District — connecting the Pimetoui Trail at Peoria's riverfront with the Rock Island Trail near Alta, Ill.

The city plans to begin building the track in 90 days.