CSX, L&I, Cummins join on Indiana overpass
Written by Railway Age StaffCSX, short line Louisville & Indiana, and Cummins are combining on an Indiana railroad improvement project.
The companies jointly announced the investments with Gov. Eric Holcomb, Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop, representatives from Bartholomew County, and other state and local leaders.
The project, a $30-million railroad overpass to eliminate a grade crossing at State Road 46, comes as CSX plans $100 million in upgrades to L&I’s 106-mile line connecting Louisville and Indianapolis in anticipation of increased traffic. The route will reduce the trip length by more than 50% by eliminating the need to move through more congested interim destinations. The L&I is a unit of Anacostia Rail Holdings.
The highway is a primary artery into and out of downtown Columbus, where engine maker Cummins has been headquartered since 1919 and employs 1,200. Cummins, which in 2014 relocated some employees to Indianapolis, at the same time announced that it would spend $50 million to renovate its 34-year old Columbus office building.
The overpass and associated improvements will be completed in mid- to late-2018.
