Encompass Grain and Rail Co-op has begun work to remove the unused railroad tracks running north of 5th Street, including the sections that pass beneath the 4th Street and 3rd Street bridges. The project marks the end of a rail service era tied to the Delavan grain elevator and opens the door for a new public greenway planned by the City of Delavan.

The rail corridor, owned by the City and leased to Encompass for the movement of grain by railcar, has been inactive following recent changes in rail operator requirements. According to city officials, rail carriers now require a significantly higher number of cars to justify a stop at a specific elevator—thresholds that smaller facilities like Delavan’s cannot meet. In addition, the rail line north of 5th Street would have required substantial repairs to remain safe and operational.

Faced with those combined challenges, Encompass agreed to vacate the lease and remove the tracks at its own expense. Crews began dismantling the line this week, with work progressing northward just past 3rd Street.

City leaders say the cleared corridor will eventually become a greenway and walking path connecting Veterans’ Park—formerly known as City Park—to Lake Park. The project is intended to create a continuous pedestrian route between two of Delavan’s most used public spaces.

No timeline has been released for the construction of the greenway, and planning discussions are expected to continue as the rail removal progresses.