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BNSF Adding Track in Galesburg
Burlington Northern Santa Fe stands to benefit from money announced Friday in Galesburg by the state that will contribute to some major infrastructure projects in town.

BNSF will get $45 million to construct and expand mainline tracks and two staging tracks, paid for with state capital construction funds that is also providing millions to the three proposed rail crossing grade separations.

BNSF Vice President of Governmental Affairs Paul Nowicki says the track construction will be important to keeping the Galesburg hump yards efficient.

"Right now, when Amtrak trains are approaching Galesburg or they're in the depot, we have to curtail our freight activities," Nowicki said. "After this project is completed, we'll be able to keep Amtrak trains on time for the people of Illinois, and keep freight service on time for the customers that we have in Illinois as well. And that's great."

Construction on the extensions is expected to happen early next year.

Nowicki also says jobs are being added in Galesburg, with 187 laid off workers all recalled, 21 more people hired, and 49 more to be hired as of Friday.

The state says the track construction will create 52 jobs.


(A Burlington Northern Santa Fe Train makes its way near the West Main Street crossing in Galesburg Friday, following a press conference with Gov. Pat Quinn at the crossing. WGIL News Story by Will Stevenson. Photo by Rick Heath.)
09 18 10 by Newsroom
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