Train’s rail steel needs could bring more jobs to Pueblo

More jobs could be coming to Pueblo to help steelworkers complete an unfinished rail line.

Evraz said in a statement that 450 steelworkers were laid off from the company because rail demand has being impacted by the downturn in commodity markets, specifically coal, metals and oil, and the continued high volume of unfairly traded steel imports.

Last October, the Amtrak Southwest Chief gave steelworkers more work to do when an order came in to provide rail line steel to make repairs on the track. That order has since been finished.

Pueblo County Commissioner Sal Pace, who is also part of the Southwest Chief Commission, said there is still work to be done on the rail line.

He also said there is about $30 million left in the federal grant the Chief received to make repairs on the line.

Pace said most of the work and money will go to Evraz to put people back to work to make more steel for the upgrades the track needs.

Gregg Romero said it’s a good start, but that job will only be a short-term solution.

“Long term, I don’t see them bringing in four turns for the steel they need to replace the Southwest Chief,” he said.

Seventy steelworkers were laid off earlier this year from Evraz.

Pace said if a Southwest Chief line makes its way to Pueblo, there could be more steel orders for Evraz.