Kansas awards nearly $5M in short line rail grants

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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) recently awarded nearly $5 million to nine short line rail maintenance and rehabilitation projects through the Short Line Rail Improvement Fund (SLRIF) program.

This is the third and final round of funding. Each recipient commits to a 30 percent match.

Six of the recipients will use the funds for major track rehabilitation and rail replacement, while the remaining recipients will use funding for siding extensions and storage tracks.

The projects support rail enhancements that increase operating speeds, reduce truck traffic, expand carload capabilities, and improve operating efficiencies.

“The Short Line Rail Improvement Fund is another opportunity for KDOT to partner with industry to help modernize and make needed improvements,” Calvin Reed, acting secretary of transportation, said. “Projects awarded through this program serve both short line railroads and their customers by investing in critical infrastructure that helps drive the Kansas economy.”

The program received 19 applications requesting more than $18 million. Recipients include:

  • Cargill – Salina in Saline County received $1.3 million for storage tracks.
  • South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad in Elk County received $700,000 for rail replacement.
  • V&S Railway in Barber and Harper counties received $666,366.77 for rehabilitation.
  • Scoular Grain – Pittsburg in Crawford County received $580,098.44 for siding extension.