The South Dakota Department of Transportation has been awarded federal monies to fund the Freight Capacity Expansion Project with Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad through Stanley, Haakon and Pennington counties.
SDDOT received a Rebuilding America Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Grant through the US Department of Transportation to upgrade main line rail between Fort Pierre and Rapid City.
State Secretary of Transportation Joel Jundt says this RCP&E Freight Capacity Expansion Project replaces approximately 87.7 miles of aging rail with new 136 pound continuous welded rail, upgrades 121 bridge structures, installs 80,000 main line cross ties, replaces 11 main line turnouts, upgrades 122 grade crossings and installs safety improvements on the line. He says the estimated $84 million total project cost will include $42 million provided by RCP&E, $20 million from the state of South Dakota and $22 million provided through the RAISE Grant.
Jundt says the RCP&E Project will improve safety of rail operations, dramatically increase train operating speed on the line, and allow for handling of modern fully loaded freight cars. The project will directly support current shippers using the line to help them more effectively compete in their respective domestic and international markets. The upgrades will also enhance new industrial and agricultural development potential.
Jundt says the project is also expected to result in reductions in emissions due to more efficient operation and the possibility of attracting more freight to travel by rail, improving environmental sustainability.
South Dakota Senate Bill 93 (SB 93) was introduced and passed by the legislature earlier this year and signed by Governor Kristi Noem March 22, 2021. The legislation called for $20 million in state funds to be available to RCP&E to use as matching funds for a federal grant.
Since its start-up on June 1, 2014, RCP&E has been investing in its infrastructure to better serve South Dakota and Wyoming. The railroad company has spent over $52 million in routine maintenance work and over $68 million in track and bridge capital improvements.
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