BUTTE, Mont. (AP) — A Montana lawmaker is suggesting the BNSF Railway reopen a line over Homestake Pass to handle increasing freight traffic, but the railroad says it has no plans to do so.
The Montana Standard reported Wednesday Democratic state Sen. Jim Keane of Butte offered to help the railroad find state or federal funding to help rebuild the route.
BNSF spokesman Matt Jones says the Fort Worth, Texas-based railroad is spending $1.5 billion to improve another route through Montana but has no current plans to reopen Homestake Pass.
The route hasn’t been used since 1982.
BNSF said previously the steep grades and sharp curves on the Homestead Pass route would increase fuel consumption and maintenance costs. The railroad said restoring the line would require upgrades to track, bridges and communications systems.