PIERRE — The South Dakota State Railroad Board has authorized the state Department of Transportation to move forward to spend federal grant money to help the Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad rehabilitate rail and structures from Fort Pierre to Rapid City. Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt says the R-C-P and E is applying for a RAISE grant for the project…
The South Dakota Legislature approved 20-million dollars for the project as match money for the RAISE grant through the passage of Senate Bill 93 during this year’s Legislative session. Jerry Vest, senior vice president of government and industry affairs for the R-C-P and E says the project will be transformative…
Vest says the railroad is well on its way to applying for the RAISE grant. The state’s portion of 20-million will be returned to the state general fund if the grant is not approved. The project cost is 84-million dollars with the railroad covering 42-million dollars with the grant asking for 22-million dollars.
