WILLMAR—It has taken more than a decade, but the wait is finally over. The Willmar Connector and Industrial Access Project—a nearly $50 million railroad bypass project—is completed and ready to receive train traffic.

Dignitaries from various partners involved in the project, along with local, regional and state government officials, gathered in Willmar on Tuesday for a ribbon-cutting and train ride to celebrate the accomplishment that is the Willmar Wye.

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“We are already seeing the ripple effects of the opportunity to bring rail into the Industrial Park with potential projects,” said Sarah Swedburg, business development manager for the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, following the ceremony. “The intersection of industrial land with rail access is what companies are really looking to expand in to. It is a really exciting moment.”

Read the full article by the West Central Tribune.