TOPEKA, Kan. — Seventeen short line rail expansion and rehabilitation projects in Kansas will receive almost $16.5 million in grants through the state Department of Transportation’s Rail Service Improvement Program, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Tuesday.
Railroads and shippers are among the recipients. They will provide a 30% match to the state funding, resulting in total rail infrastructure work of more than $23.5 million. Projects include capacity improvements, major track rehabilitation, and rail replacement. The projects were selected from 26 applications requesting more than $39 million in total costs.
“These needed rail infrastructure improvements will lift up rural Kansas and, in doing so, will maximize the economic potential of the entire state,” Kelly said in a press release. “By strengthening agriculture supply chains, my administration is helping our farmers and ranchers connect to regional, national, and international markets.”
Projects selected include:
— South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad: $1,947,101 for expansion and capacity improvements in Elk County; $319,802 for major rehabilitation in Cowley County.
— Cimarron Valley Railroad, Ford County; $2,233,946 for expansion and capacity improvements.
— V&S Railway, Barber and Harper counties; $1,657,799 for preservation and major rehabilitation.
— Weskan Grain, Scott County; $1,472,240 for expansion and capacity improvements.
— Summit Sustainable Ingredients, Phillips County; $1,436,595 for expansion and capacity improvements.
— New Century AirCenter Railroad, Johnson County; $1,400,594 for major rehabilitation.
— Mid-States Materials, Reno County; $911,826 for expansion and capacity improvements.
— Central Prairie Co-op, Rice County; $880,110 for expansion and capacity improvements.
— Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, Sedgwick County; $859,221 for major rehabilitation.
— Kyle Railorad, Cloud County; $811,440 for major rehabilitation.
— Garden City Western Railway, Finney County; $695,056 for preservation and major rehabilitation.
— Hutchinson Transportation, Reno County; $586,906 for major rehabilitation.
— Viterra USA Grain, Sedgwick County, $562,332 for major rehabilitation.
— Midway Co-op, Smith County; $422,835 for major rehabilitation.
— The Scoular Co., Sherman County; $230,002 for qualified track maintenance.
— Farmers Co-op, Sumner County; $39,057 for qualified track maintenance.
