A ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow will
celebrate the reopening of a rail bridge across the North Canadian River in
Shawnee. This is the first step in revitalizing an Oklahoma rail line between
Shawnee and McAlester that has been closed for over two decades.
Wilburton company Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad, which leases
the line from Union Pacific, put millions of dollars into the washed-out bridge
to reopen the dormant line. The ceremony will be held at the bridge just south
of downtown Shawnee on the North Canadian River. Members of the press should
arrive at the Shawnee Economic Development Foundation at 11 a.m. to caravan and
carpool to the site.
U.S. Congressman James Lankford; state Reps. Josh Cockroft, Tom Newell, and Justin Wood; and state Sens. Ron Sharp, Harry Coates and Susan
Paddack will attend the ceremony. Cockroft said the line opening represents new
economic opportunities for Oklahoma communities.
“This will open up a vast economic development opportunity
for one of the poorest parts of the state and allow businesses to open and
thrive along the line,” said Cockroft (R-Tecumseh). “Communities like Shawnee and Tecumseh, as well as those in southern Pottawatomie County will once again have rail
access.”
Thanks to you Rep. Cockcroft in your leadership to re-establish this much needed rail line. Economic development such as this project contributes to real job opportunities for -Citizens Proper Near- the Shawnee area and southeast Oklahoma.
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