Rail spur progress was reported at a Community Development Agency meeting at City Hall on July 21. Economic Development Director J. P. Komorny gave a verbal and written report on the project.

The RFP Bid process is underway. The request for bids went out on July 1 and bids will be opened on July 29.

Seven general contractors and two sub-contractors attended a Pre-Bid meeting. Seven other contractors have expressed interest.

Questions from these potential bidders are answered through a Q & A procedure over the internet. This question period ended July 22.

A committee of Pam Richter, Harold Farrar, James Schnell and Komorny will select the successful bidder. A bid matrix program will be used to help evaluate the bids.

Bridge financing of $150,000 has been obtained to make necessary payments before bonds are issued. UPRR has been paid $20,000 as half payment for a long term right-of-way lease and another $20,000 has been paid down on the purchase of railroad switches.

Final details of a rail spur lease by Castronics are being ironed out and should be complete in 10 days.

Komorny made a trip to Boise, Idaho to meet with potential rail spur customer Simplot. It is possible that Simplot would move a larger operation than earlier anticipated to Kimball.

Wilson & Co. is working on construction schedules and frequently submits construction drawings to UPRR for their approval.

Komorny said, “A September 1 construction start is our goal. The work could be completed by January 1.”

Committee member Kim Christensen asked how many local workers could be employed.

Komorny answered that local workers would be used wherever possible. Worker certification is required by UPRR for any workers on railroad right-of-way. Quotas of women and minority groups apply on projects being paid for (in part) with grant money.

Bob Jenner asked in contacts are made with Clean Harbors as a potential rail spur customer.

The answer given was yes, but in a  low key manner that appreciates Clean Harbors economic environment.