Coal hauling in Wyoming's Powder River basin should be a little easier for rivals Union Pacific and BNSF Railway, after the completion of $70 million capacity expansion projects.

More than 80-percent of grading has been completed for the addition of a third main track for a 19-mile stretch between Reno Junction and Shawnee Junction. The additional track is scheduled for completion by the Fall of 2006, when both railroads will benefit from additional train passing capabilities.

Additionally, a new staging yard west of Rozet at Donkey Creek is being constructed to hold trains waiting to be loaded and trains awaiting new crews, without hampering the mainline capacity within the PRB. It too should be completed by Fall of 2006, according to BNSF Railway spokesman Gus Melonas.

The coal industry has asked the railroads to increase capacity for several years and the projects will help mines meet demand from power utilities, said Greg Schaefer, an Arch Coal spokesman.

A third outlet for PRB coal may be forthcoming if the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad is successful in securing financing and all necessary approval to construct a new line into the PRB.