WisDOT: $4.8MM for Freight Rail Improvement Projects
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
(WisDOT logo)
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) on June 24 announced nearly $5 million to improve freight rail at facilities in Luxemburg, Reedsburg and Wrightstown.
The three rail improvement projects, funded by the Freight Railroad Infrastructure Improvement Program (FRIIP), are receiving a combined total of $4.8 million to make upgrades to agricultural facility equipment, construct new storage at a transload terminal, and install a new industry track.
FRIIP loans, WisDOT says, “fund rail projects that connect an industry to the national railroad system, make improvements to enhance transportation efficiency, safety, and intermodal freight movement, accomplish line rehabilitation and develop the economy.”
Recipients of the FRIIP loan include:
- Rio Creek Feed Mill – awarded $1.5 million in May 2024 to help fund the construction of a 1.339-million-bushel grain bin, a support tower, loading equipment, and unloading equipment at its facility in Luxemburg located in Kewaunee County. Construction of the bin, WisDOT says, “will improve rail car loading and unloading efficiency, leading to annual transportation cost savings exceeding $600,000 per year after two years.” The facility receives inbound carloads of canola meal, soybean meal, corn gluten, and distiller grains. Rio Creek Feed Mill is served by the Fox Valley & Lake Superior Rail System (FOXY).
- Riffey Transload – awarded $825,267 in September 2023 to help fund the construction of a new trackside storage building at its transload terminal in Reedsburg. Riffey Transload has already invested more than $300,000 for track, storage, and other facility improvements at the Reedsburg terminal. The new hoop barn-type storage building will “enable Riffey Transload to reduce transportation costs for its customers in the food products industry in Sauk County and surrounding counties in Southcentral Wisconsin.” Riffey Transload is served by the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR).
- The village of Wrightstown – awarded $2,433,882 in September 2023 to construct 4,172 feet of industry track in Wrightstown, located in the Fox Valley. Construction of the track will extend an existing village-owned industry lead to Drexel Building Supply and enable Drexel Building Supply to “shift shipping of lumber to the facility from truck to rail, leading to annual transportation cost savings exceeding $800,000 per year after five years.” Businesses located on the village’s industry lead are served by CN.
“Wisconsin’s prosperity and competitiveness depend on a safe, efficient, and reliable transportation system,” said WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson. “When we support freight rail, we are directly supporting the people and businesses of our communities. This is our priority across all modes of transportation in Wisconsin.”
“Freight rail corridors play a critical role in our state’s economy and our transportation network, helping get product to market and move goods and services from point A to point B across Wisconsin,” said Gov. Tony Evers. “I’m proud of our continued work to build the infrastructure and workforce Wisconsin needs to meet the demands of the 21st Century, and these investments will help us build upon those efforts while supporting our local businesses, producers, and local community economies that all rely on these vital rail lines.”
