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Ramsey County Commissioner Joe Belford is following the situation with Amtrak service to Devils Lake closely, along with Mayor Dick Johnson.
A study funded by the federal government to look at the stability of the track and the bridge that are being threatened by rising waters of Devils Lake is nearly complete.
“Divers have already checked the stability of the track,” Belford says. “The study should end the end of this month.”
“We’re just waiting to see what they come up with.”
The entire project west of Devils Lake spans about 20 miles, which would involve a grade raise.
Belford said 30 percent of the study will deal with the design of the project, which has been estimated to cost around $60 million.
He’s not sure who would ultimately pick up the tab for that. One thing he is sure of is the importance of keeping Amtrak running through Devils Lake.
Recently the train had to put on three extra cars out of Chicago to accomodate a big group of National Guardsmen coming to Camp Grafton for training.
“That train is so important to so many facets of our life here in this area,” adds Belford.
“We simply have to maintain the track and bridge out there to keep in safe and stable.”
If the decision is made to bail out on the line here, it means Amtrak would no longer serve Grand Forks, Devils Lake and Rugby.
That decision could come next spring and will be based on the lake level at that time.
The train’s route would then shift to the Surrey Line, which goes through New Rockford and plays host to many fast-moving Burlington Northern-Santa Fe trains each day.
“That’s something we don’t want to happen,” adds Belford. “I can remember having to go to New Rockford many years ago to meet the train when it ran on that line. We picked up friends and family members down there.”
Belford said the lake level next spring will likely determine whether or not the track west of town will be fixed. If not, the decision to shift the route to the Surrey Line could be made.
Belford said not only are city officials working on keeping the train here, but Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan as well as outgoing Representative Earl Pomeroy and his replacement Rick Berg are working feverishly as well.
“That train is very much needed here,” added Belford. “A lot of people ride it and it’s a nice way to go, especially this time of year.”
“We simply have to keep it here, and I would encourage people to write the Congressional delegation and show support for it.”
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Ramsey County Commissioner Joe Belford is following the situation with Amtrak service to Devils Lake closely, along with Mayor Dick Johnson.
A study funded by the federal government to look at the stability of the track and the bridge that are being threatened by rising waters of Devils Lake is nearly complete.
“Divers have already checked the stability of the track,” Belford says. “The study should end the end of this month.”
“We’re just waiting to see what they come up with.”
The entire project west of Devils Lake spans about 20 miles, which would involve a grade raise.
Belford said 30 percent of the study will deal with the design of the project, which has been estimated to cost around $60 million.
He’s not sure who would ultimately pick up the tab for that. One thing he is sure of is the importance of keeping Amtrak running through Devils Lake.
Recently the train had to put on three extra cars out of Chicago to accomodate a big group of National Guardsmen coming to Camp Grafton for training.
“That train is so important to so many facets of our life here in this area,” adds Belford.
“We simply have to maintain the track and bridge out there to keep in safe and stable.”
If the decision is made to bail out on the line here, it means Amtrak would no longer serve Grand Forks, Devils Lake and Rugby.
That decision could come next spring and will be based on the lake level at that time.
The train’s route would then shift to the Surrey Line, which goes through New Rockford and plays host to many fast-moving Burlington Northern-Santa Fe trains each day.
“That’s something we don’t want to happen,” adds Belford. “I can remember having to go to New Rockford many years ago to meet the train when it ran on that line. We picked up friends and family members down there.”
Belford said the lake level next spring will likely determine whether or not the track west of town will be fixed. If not, the decision to shift the route to the Surrey Line could be made.
Belford said not only are city officials working on keeping the train here, but Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan as well as outgoing Representative Earl Pomeroy and his replacement Rick Berg are working feverishly as well.
“That train is very much needed here,” added Belford. “A lot of people ride it and it’s a nice way to go, especially this time of year.”
“We simply have to keep it here, and I would encourage people to write the Congressional delegation and show support for it.”
.
