MnDOT Awards $4.5M to Five Rail Projects

MnDOT

ST. PAUL. Minn. - The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) awarded $4.5 million to five rail projects across the state.

The funds come from the Minnesota Rail Service Improvement Program, which seeks to fund rail infrastructure projects that connect goods and commodities in Minnesota to regional and international markets since the program was established in 1976. $28.6 million in MRSI grants have funded 21 projects since 2017.

The projects chosen for this round of funding include:

• In Cloquet, Cloquet Terminal Railroad Co, Inc. received $840,000 to go toward upgrading 2,500 feet of track to a heavier-duty track. Two switch points will also be renewed on its mainline connection.
• In Crookston, Minnesota Northern Railroad received $750,000 to extend its terminal into Crookston Industrial Park. Crews will install 2,600 feet of track, construct a turnout, and add a switch.
• In Euclid, Lake Agassiz Bean, LLC received $900,000 to install a turnout, new safety equipment, a concrete loading area, and 2,487 feet of new track.
• In Staples, JMJ Properties received $1 million to establish freight rail service at an industrial facility that will be used to transport granite and add 13,500 feet of track.
• In Morris, Denco II LLC received $1 million to construct a new siding to connect the facility to BNSF’s mainline connection. As part of the project, crews will install a new track, switches, and railcar loading area.

MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger said, “These projects strengthen Minnesota’s freight rail network and provide critical connections which help move Minnesota goods and products to markets more efficiently. . . Investing in freight rail infrastructure supports economic growth in communities across the state.”