What was name of Rail Road Buider?

Question

When the French quit the panama canal,trying to make it sea level

Teddy Roosevelt ask for Man that built the Michigan Road,I believe

it was Great Northern.He was super for C.R.I &P,When He arrived panama& looked things over,He said that project was Rail Road,used several trains to haul the dirt. He was a Man for the challenge.I can"t remember His name?

Answer 1

James J. Hill is credited with having started the Great Northern Railway and for bringing the Northern Pacific out of receivership.  However, my resource makes no mention of either the Panama Canal or the C.R.I & P.