PIERRE — A major rebuilding of the Fort Pierre to Rapid City subdivision of the Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern main line in central and western South Dakota isn’t the only project on the line company officials are seeking. Senior vice president of the RCP&E Jerry Vest says they railroad is seeking an 800-thousand dollar STC grant for an estimated one-million dollar project…
The survey identified seven high-priority culverts and one trestle that need replacement…
One culvert failure caused a 17-car derailment near New Underwood that injured the train’s crew. Vest says the project will help prepare the railroad for the future…
The railroad is also applying for a hyper-competitive RAISE grant to help upgrade 88 miles of line at a cost of 84-million dollars between Fort Pierre and Rapid City. Vest says the two projects are independent of one another, but would be hopeful both could be done at the same time.