South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard has announced that a total of $56 million in public and private funds will be invested in four new and ongoing rail projects across the state.
The first project is the previously announced reconstruction of the Mitchell to Rapid City (MRC) Rail Line. The $29.9 million project between Chamberlain and Presho will upgrade 42.6 miles of rail line to handle modern rail traffic.
The second project is an agreement with the Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad (RCP&E) to construct two new railroad sidings along the old DM&E line. The $7.5 million project includes a 10,000-foot siding in the Huron area and a 7,500-foot siding near Aurora.
For the third project, Daugaard says the state will partner with Dakota & Iowa Railroad to invest $7.3 million to upgrade the Sioux Valley Line in southeast South Dakota from Canton to Elk Point.
The fourth project, an upgrade of the Britton Line in northeast South Dakota, will include $5.25 million in funds from the Dakota Missouri Valley & Western, as well as $5.25 million in loans from the state Rail Board and $1 million in Future Funds. Daugaard says that investment will lead to a new grain loading facility.
The Governor also announced today that $4 million in Future Funds will be available to match other South Dakota rail investments made by private entities. Interested parties should prepare proposals and submit them to the state Department of Transportation.
