The shipping company reportedly changed its preferred connection through Miles City to a new route which links up with an existing line in Colstrip.

The Associated Press said the new line would affect few landowners and would drop the project’s price tag from $490 million to $416 million.

Although the amended plan avoids a state fish hatchery in Miles City, which had been identified as a possible approval obstacle, community resistance to the project is expected to persist.

Some locals argued that the line, expected to haul 20 million tons per annum of coal through the area, provided no economic benefit to them and posed a threat to their quality of life.

The long-stalled project has faced decades of delay due to court challenges and financial hurdles.

The revised application was submitted Monday for approval by the Surface Transportation Board.