Willmar Rail Connector: 2026 Construction Update

Minnesota’s Willmar Rail Connector project, a $47 million bypass, improves freight efficiency and reduces environmental impact. The completed project showcases successful public-private partnerships in the railway sector.

Willmar Rail Connector: 2026 Construction Update
May 26, 2023 10:51 am
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Willmar Rail Connector (Willmar Wye) Project Profile

The Willmar Rail Connector, also known as the Willmar Wye, is a critical rail infrastructure project in Willmar, Minnesota, designed to streamline freight traffic. This project established a direct bypass connection for BNSF Railway’s Morris and Marshall subdivisions, re-routing trains away from the city center to enhance operational efficiency, public safety, and environmental outcomes.

AttributeDetails
Project NameWillmar Rail Connector (Willmar Wye)
LocationWillmar, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, USA
Track LengthApprox. 2 miles (3.2 km) of new bypass track
Maximum SpeedDesigned for freight operations; typically up to 40 mph (64 km/h)
Estimated Cost$47 million
StatusOperational (Completed 2022)
Key ContractorsBNSF Railway (Rail Design & Construction); Hoffman Team (Lunda Construction, Bolton & Menk, Hoffman Construction) (Road Design-Build)

Technical Specifications

The project’s core component is the construction of a new rail bypass east of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 55. This alignment, selected as the RR-3 alternative, was identified as the optimal route to directly connect the BNSF Morris and Marshall subdivisions, which previously lacked a direct interchange. The chosen design eliminated the need for trains to perform lengthy reverse movements and traverse multiple at-grade crossings within the city of Willmar.

Engineering works involved significant civil construction, including the realignment of US Highway 12 and the reconstruction of Highway 40. Two new grade-separated bridges were constructed to carry vehicular traffic over the new rail line, permanently eliminating rail-roadway conflict points. The project was executed as a public-private partnership (PPP) between BNSF Railway, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), the City of Willmar, and Kandiyohi County, ensuring integrated planning and execution of both rail and highway components.

Key Takeaways

  • Enhanced Freight Velocity: By eliminating the inefficient routing through downtown Willmar, the bypass significantly reduces transit times for freight trains, increasing network capacity and supply chain fluidity for BNSF.
  • Improved Community Safety and Quality of Life: Re-routing rail traffic away from the city center has drastically reduced delays at at-grade crossings for motorists and emergency services, while also lowering noise pollution and locomotive emissions from idling trains.
  • Successful Public-Private Partnership Model: The project’s success demonstrates the effectiveness of a multi-stakeholder PPP model, leveraging diverse funding sources including federal TIGER grants, state (MnDOT), private (BNSF), and local funds to deliver a complex infrastructure project on schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When did the Willmar Rail Connector open?
The Willmar Rail Connector project became fully operational in 2022. The associated roadwork on Highways 12 and 40 was completed in 2021, with the final rail construction and commissioning concluding the following year.

What was the purpose of the Willmar Wye project?
The primary purpose of the Willmar Wye project was to create a direct rail link, or bypass, between BNSF Railway’s Morris and Marshall subdivisions. This new connection eliminates the need for trains to travel through the center of Willmar, which reduces traffic congestion, noise, and emissions, while improving freight efficiency and public safety.