PIERRE — The Rapid City Pierre and Eastern Railroad was back in front of the South Dakota State Railroad Board this week to update the status of a proposed project to rebuilding the rail line that runs from Fort Pierre to Rapid City. Senior vice president Jerry Vest says RCP&E has applied for a highly competitive RAISE grant to help fund the 84-million dollar project…
Vest says if the RAISE grant falls through it leaves about a month to apply for a CRISI grant. The grants take different forms so converting the RAISE application to a CRISI application will take time. The other question mark for the application is rail cost…
Vest says if the R-C-P & E fails in getting a federal grant this year, next year may offer a better chance…
Vest says much of that rail money will be centered on passenger rail, but believes the South Dakota project has a good chance at winning support. The South Dakota Legislature approved up to 20-million dollars in match money for the project in January.
