South Dakota Railroad Board Approves Applications for Special Transportation Circumstances Grants

Courtesy of SDDOT

PIERRE, S.D. – There are $58.8 million in Special Transportation Circumstances grants available from the FRA, and these are provided to states that don’t have regular passenger train service.

According to South Dakota Department of Transportation, there are $58.8 million in Special Transportation Circumstances grants available from the FRA. These grants are provided to states that do not have “regular passenger-train service,” and are offered through the CRISI program. Secretary South Dakota Department of Transportation, Joel Jundt, said: “The STC funds are dedicated to three states, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Alaska. . . The STC grant funds are dedicated to provide the financial resources to improve South Dakota’s freight railroad infrastructure, which is vital to the continued growth and development of our economy.” 

The six grant allocations are listed below:

1. Sisseton Milbank Railroad: $3,241,040
2. Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad: $14,062,328
3. Ringneck & Western Railroad: $8,310,932
4. Belle Fourche Economic Development Corporation: $837,440
5. D & I Railroad: $9,957,245
6. Dakota, Missouri Valley & Western Railroad: $17,600,360

In addition, the board approved an amendment “to the 2020 STC Meet and Pass grant for Ringneck and Western Railroad in the amount of $797,353 in STC funds.” To receive STC funds, projects must meet eligibility requirements, and “the federal funding share for STC grants is not to exceed 80% of the project’s total cost.” SDDOT files a STC grant request on behalf of approved requests, and “applicants selected for submittal of a STC grant application to FRA must provide a fully completed grant application to SDDOT by Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.” Upon FRA approval, the SDDOT will administer said approved grants.