CRANDIC to begin $6 million Iowa River bridge project in 2012

More than $6 million in bridge upgrades and replacement work will begin next year on the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City (CRANDIC) Railway's Iowa River crossings near Homestead.

The CRANDIC is a short line railroad running between the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City metro areas owned by Alliant Energy.

Three bridges crossing the main channel and two tributary channels of the Iowa River flooded in the record flood crests of June 2008, according to CRANDIC Chief Operating Officer Joe McGovern. He said the bridges sustained some damage in the flooding, but the main reason for the project is increased traffic on the line.

Archer Daniels Midland opened a $543 million dry mill ethanol plant in late 2010 that is served by the line. About 130,000 cars now cross the bridges each year, McGovern said.

The Iowa Transportation Commission approved a $2 million no-interest loan from its Rail Revolving Loan and Grant Program on Tuesday, Nov. 8. The railroad will have ten years to repay the loan.

"We're happy that the DOT is willing to invest in this important project," McGovern said.

Improvements of the main channel bridge will be undertaken in 2012, along with replacement of a tributary bridge to the south. McGovern said the project will make the bridges more resistant to flooding, in part by elevating the tracks by one or two feet.

Replacement of the north tributary bridge will be completed in 2013, McGovern said.

Rail shipping will not be suspended during the construction expect during limited portions of the day, McGovern said.

Engineering work on the project is already under way, and the railroad will soon begin applying for regulatory permits, McGovern added.

The transportation commission approved a total of seven loans and grants Tuesday, including a $186,676 grant and $204,000 loan for a rail spur project at GMT Corp. in Waverly.