According to Kevin Keith, MoDOT Chief Engineer, this is the first of the public and private cooperative efforts in improving rail infrastructure. The state designated $5 million for the work, drawing more than $3 million more in federal funds for the project.

The project is one of the results of a planned study by Dr. James Noble and Charles Nemmers, P.E., of the University of Missouri-Columbia. Looking at initial rail bottlenecks and the value of improving efficiency, the study recommended side tracks.