WILLMAR, Minn. – BNSF Railway has opened a new 2.8-mile wye track west of Willmar that allows trains to bypass the city. Referred to as the “Willmar Bypass” the new track links BNSF’s busy Marshall Subdivision and its Morris Subdivision, the former Great Northern mainline. It allows eastbound Morris Subdivision trains to head onto the Marshall Sub (and westbounds off the Marshall Sub) to bypass Willmar. Before the bypass was built trains had to head into Willmar and motive power run around their trains to be headed in the proper direction. The $50 million project will cut down on rail congestion in the city and reduce blocked crossings.
The idea for the Willmar Bypass started in 2011, when BNSF Railway approached the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Kandiyohi County and the city of Willmar about constructing a rail bypass on the west side of Willmar. The project turned into a private-public partnership.
In 2015, the project gained a $10 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant. Eventually BNSF paid $16 million, MNDOT $17.5 million, Kandiyohi County $459,000 and the city of Willmar deeded the right-of-way worth $336,000. In addition, $3.77 million came from State Local Road Improvement Program funds.
BNSF began construction of the line in autumn 2021, and finished in September 2022. The route opened at the end of October. In addition to the railroad, the road portion of the project included realigning U.S. Highway 12, construction of two bridges over the new line, two roundabouts and an access road for businesses. Road construction began in July 2019 and was finished this summer.
Willmar, approximately 100 miles from Minneapolis, has close ties to railroading. It was a Great Northern division point and crew change with a large yard and roundhouse and lines heading in four directions. GN recognized its historic ties to Willmar when it donated its last steam locomotive, 4-8-2 No. 2523, to the city in 1965. Willmar remains a division point for BNSF.
To see an aerial view of the new line, click here.
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