Grenville Dodge, a skilled civil engineer, had surveyed potential routes for the transcontinental railroad in the 1850s. During the Civil War, he served as a Union Army officer and became known for his engineering and military expertise.

In 1863, while serving in the Union Army, Dodge met with President Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C. During this meeting, Dodge presented his ideas and findings about the most feasible route for the Union Pacific Railroad, the eastern segment of the transcontinental railroad. Dodge advocated for a route that would pass through the Platte River Valley in Nebraska, which was relatively flat and accessible.

Lincoln, who was a strong supporter of the transcontinental railroad as a means to unite the country and facilitate westward expansion, valued Dodge's input. He recognized the strategic importance of the route and endorsed the project. Lincoln’s support was crucial in pushing the railroad forward during the Civil War.

Dodge later became the chief engineer of the Union Pacific Railroad, where he was responsible for overseeing the construction of the railroad from the Missouri River to the point where it met the Central Pacific Railroad in Utah. His engineering expertise and leadership were key to the successful completion of the transcontinental railroad.