EDWARDSPORT, Ind. — Duke Energy plans to rebuild a dilapidated eight-mile rail line to haul waste from a coal-gasification power plant it is building in southwestern Indiana.

Duke says the line will haul sulfur byproducts from its $2.35 billion plant near Edwardsport to the town of Sandborn. It may also move coal to the plant, which is set to go online in 2012.

Plant manager Jack Stultz says Duke looked at a variety of routes before deciding on the line along Indiana 67. That track had fallen into disuse decades ago.

Construction on the line is scheduled to start next year. Although Duke has acquired the former rail line, it still needs to acquire additional rights of way from property owners.