Train average through city at 10 per day

An average of 10 trains per 24 hours are now traveling through Rugby, including two for Amtrak, according to Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway Company.

BNSF does not a have projection for traffic through Rugby in the future, according to Amy McBeth, director of public affairs for a six-state region including the Dakotas. The Rugby City Council is already discussing the possibility of adding a quiet zone as traffic continues to increase. BNSF freight includes grain and crude oil among other goods.

“Overall, we are investing in capacity where growth is occurring,” McBeth said in an e-mail. “And our investments in North Dakota will help ensure our network is prepared for growing demand for freight rail.”

BNSF is spending an estimated $220 million to improve and expand rail capacity in North Dakota this year. Area projects include improvements to six sidings between Minot and Grand Forks; raising 10 miles of track over Devils Lake by one to five feet to keep the track above rising water; upgrading the line between Berthold and Northgate on the Canadian border; and installation of centralized traffic control signal systems on three sidings near Devils Lake, Hillsboro and Towner.

County to open bidding for Social Services space in December

Members of the Pierce County Board of Commissioners met with representatives of the consulting firm EAPC on Tuesday to discuss renovations to the old jail.

The county’s social services department will use both floors of the building once the renovations are completed. Bidding for the project will open on Dec. 17. EAPC estimates the project will cost about $250,000.

The county hopes to see the project started on Jan. 2, 2014, with a target deadline of May 15. The space will have seven offices and a reception area. A concrete wall and steel cells will be removed and the steel will be salvaged by the county. Plumbing, electrical and windows will be replaced. New carpeting also will be installed.