Rail reconstruction, made possible by $4 million in stimulus funds, has started on the BNSF line extending from downtown north Shawnee, Okla., to the industrial park, the Shawnee News Star
 reports.

"It is stimulus for sure," Brenda Perry, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, said.


Gov. Brad Henry helped secure $8 million for this project, as well as a riverbank stabilization project along the Union Pacific line from Shawnee to Oklahoma City. Work is expected to begin within the next month.


"BNSF would like to begin as soon as possible," Joseph Faust, spokesman for BNSF, said.


Once work begins, Faust said, track conditions will be improved. He also said crews may have to close railroad crossings to do the rehabilitation work.


Perry said rehabilitation that began several weeks ago continues on the UP line operated by A-OK Railroad.


Henry made the decision to provide federal dollars for the projects after the U.S. Department of Transportation rejected an application for a $32-million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery discretionary grant, the state hoped to use to make improvements along the lines.

Because stimulus funds will provide about 25 percent of the total budgeted needs for improvements,
 only four areas along the bank of the North Canadian will be shored up. At least eight areas of concern were noted prior to receipt of the stimulus funds.


David Streb, ODOT director of engineering, said the rail line has experienced problems with flooding in the past.