Phase No. 2 of railroad construction for the Northern Plains Commerce Centre will be built at a cost of just over $1.5 million, despite the misgiving of City Commissioner Steve Schwab.

The commission approved the project at Tuesday's meeting, which saw two consistent supporters of the NPCC, Connie Sprynczynatyk and Sandi Tabor, absent.

Work is currently under way on phase No. 1 of the railroad project, which is extending track slightly beyond the Bobcat facility at the centre. Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson Inc. engineer Brian Eiseman explained that phase No. 2 will extend the track south to the end of NPCC Drive, about 3,500 feet in length. The project also will include a concrete pad, 20-inches thick, which will be used for unloading trains and storing materials.

Schwab, who has been critical of the NPCC, questioned why more rail was being added to the facility. He questioned outside interest and asked what commitments have been made to the NPCC.

Eiseman, Mayor John Warford, City Administrator Bill Wocken and City Attorney Charlie Whitman attempted to allay Schwab's concerns, indicating that considerable interest is being shown by shippers in using the facility.

"It's the ultimate Catch-22. You won't get a commitment to bring in material until it's built," Eiseman said. "I do believe the city has some commitment and a high level of interest."

"The commitment right now is Bobcat," Whitman said. "There is a lot of interest being shown by others."

The track will lead to the transload piece of the project, Warford said. The pad will allow the loading and unloading of trains and storage for a number of things, including lumber, aggregate, steel and salt.

"This needs to be built; it's been on the drawing board for three years now," Warford said.

A third part of the facility will provide a building to store equipment and offices for personnel. Plans are to have the work completed later this fall, which will allow full use of the NPCC.

Commissioner Dave Jensen made the motion to award the bid for the phase No. 2 project to Strata Construction. Eiseman said that the bid was well under the engineer's estimate of $1.9 million and allowed for the tracks to be continuously welded rather than jointed, which improves maintenance and life of the track.

Schwab seconded the motion, indicating he would oppose it, which he did in a 2-1 vote to approve the motion.

Commissioners also learned that there is interest in a 5.4 acre parcel of land at the NPCC at the intersection of old Airway Avenue and Yegen Road.

A motion to have an appraisal done on the property was unanimously approved.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)