Work continues on a rail spur to benefit Bunge’s crush facility in east Emporia.
The spur had been under discussion for quite some time before Peyton Street closed about a year ago near the plant to prepare for construction. City Engineer Jim Ubert says the city has finished its work to relocate underground utilities along the project area.
The spur goes from the Bunge plant northeast towards Interstate 35 with two goals in mind: to increase plant efficiency and reduce the number of train blockages on East Sixth, which also serves as US Highway 50.
Bunge’s local office has referred questions about the project to the corporate office in St. Louis — which has declined KVOE News’ request for an update, both on the project and impact on the local plant. Burlington Northern Santa Fe has not commented on what is left to finalize the project, although Ubert says some pavement work is still needed between the tracks at Peyton before the project is finished.
