KDOT: Nearly $16.5MM for Short Line Rail Projects
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
“These needed rail infrastructure improvements will lift up rural Kansas and, in doing so, will maximize the economic potential of the entire state,” said Gov. Laura Kelly.
Gov. Laura Kelly on Feb. 20 announced that nearly $16.5 million in investments from the Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) Rail Service Improvement Program (RSIP) will go toward short line rail expansion and rehabilitation projects to improve the state’s agriculture supply chain.
RSIP recipients will use the funds for expansion and capacity improvements, major track rehabilitation and rail replacement. These projects, KDOT says, support rail improvements that enhance safety, expand carload capabilities, reduce truck traffic, increase operating speeds, and improve operating efficiencies.
State funding for the 17 projects will be enhanced by a 30% match from each recipient, resulting in a total rail infrastructure investment of more than $23.5 million. The program received 26 applications requesting more than $39 million in total costs through IKE, the state’s 10-year bipartisan transportation program.
“These needed rail infrastructure improvements will lift up rural Kansas and, in doing so, will maximize the economic potential of the entire state,” said Gov. Laura Kelly. “By strengthening agriculture supply chains, my administration is helping our farmers and ranchers connect to regional, national, and international markets.”
“Rail service lessens the number of trucks that would otherwise be on local roads and Kansas highways, which reduces roadway maintenance and rehabilitation needs,” said Secretary of Transportation Calvin Reed. “Having different modes of quality transportation strengthens our state and creates new economic development opportunities for Kansas communities.”
Selected projects through the RSIP for State Fiscal Year 2024 include:
![“Thanks to Secretary Pete [Buttigieg], USDOT, the Federal Railroad Administration and all our partners for making the S-Line passenger rail a reality!!” NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins said in a July 1 LinkedIn post. “Thanks to the hard work of our NCDOT team we broke ground on the first construction project in the Raleigh to Wake Forest segment, a $19M project to grade separate Durant Road 7 months after the grant announcement!!” (Photograph Courtesy of Joey Hopkins)](https://www.railwayage.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/slinelead-315x168.png)
