N.D. rail bridge is destroyed by fire

The Spring Creek bridge was destroyed by a fire.

A timber railroad bridge has been wiped out by a fire near Beulah, N.D., leaving Basin Electric without rail access to three of its energy production and product facilities.

BNSF owns the Spring Creek bridge. The rail line connects Dakota Gasification Company, Antelope Valley Station and The Coteau Properties Company’s Freedom Mine to the main rail line.

Basin Electric uses the 8-mile rail line to bring in chemicals and ship out products to market. The Antelope Valley Station receives lime via the railroad tracks, and Freedom Mine delivers coal to Leland Olds Station near Stanton.

BNSF is currently in the process of replacing the bridge, and expects the project to be complete early next week. Steel and precast concrete components are being used in the construction of the new bridge.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

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