TOPEKA, KANSAS, US — The state of Kansas will spend nearly $16.5 million on 17 short line rail expansion and rehabilitation projects to improve its agricultural supply chain. Funds will be made available through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Rail Service Improvement Program (RSIP).

State funding for the 17 projects will be enhanced by a 30% match from each recipient, including major grain handlers such as The Scoular Co. and Viterra USA, resulting in a total rail infrastructure investment of more than $23.5 million. The program received 26 applications requesting more than $39 million in total costs through IKE, the state’s 10-year bipartisan transportation program.

RSIP recipients will use the funds for expansion and capacity improvements, major track rehabilitation and rail replacement. These projects support rail improvements that enhance safety, expand carload capabilities, reduce truck traffic, increase operating speeds and improve operating efficiencies.

Kansas farmers produce a wide variety of grains and oilseeds, including corn, wheat, sorghum, oats, barley, soybeans, sunflower and canola.

“These needed rail infrastructure improvements will lift up rural Kansas and, in doing so, will maximize the economic potential of the entire state,” Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said. “By strengthening agriculture supply chains, my administration is helping our farmers and ranchers connect to regional, national, and international markets.”

Selected projects through the RSIP for state fiscal year 2024:

  • Cimarron Valley Railroad, Ford County, expansion/capacity improvements, $2,233,946
  • Summit Sustainable Ingredients, Phillips County, expansion/capacity improvements, $1,436,595
  • South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, Cowley County, major rehabilitation, $319,802
  • South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, Elk County, expansion/capacity improvements, $1,947,101
  • The Scoular Co., Sherman County, qualified track maintenance, $230,002
  • Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, Sedgwick County, major rehabilitation, $859,221
  • New Century AirCenter Railroad (JCAX), Johnson County, major rehabilitation, $1,400,594
  • Kyle Railroad, Cloud County, major rehabilitation, $811,440
  • Viterra USA Grain, Sedgwick County, major rehabilitation, $562,332
  • Hutchinson Transportation (HUTX), Reno County, major rehabilitation, $586,906
  • Weskan Grain, Scott County, expansion/capacity improvements, $1,472,240
  • Central Prairie Co-op, Rice County, expansion/capacity improvements, $880,110
  • Garden City Western Railway, Finney County, preservation/major rehabilitation $695,056
  • Mid-States Materials, Reno County, expansion/capacity improvements, $911,826
  • Midway Co-op, Smith County, major rehabilitation, $422,835
  • Farmers Co-op, Sumner County, qualified track maintenance, $39,057
  • V&S Railway, Barber/Harper counties, preservation/major, rehabilitation, $1,657,799