U.S. Department of Transportation RAISE Grant Will Enable Significant Infrastructure Upgrades on Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant of $22 million for the South Dakota Freight Capacity Expansion Project, which will complete upgrades to 163 miles of main line on the Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad, Inc. (RCP&E), from Fort Pierre to Rapid City. The project is also supported by $20 million in funds from the State of South Dakota as well as a $42 million commitment from RCP&E.

“South Dakota is focused on critical infrastructure to drive future growth and economic development, and this project will do that for all of western South Dakota,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “Together with the $20 million appropriated by the state to this project, this funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation will support a project that will benefit South Dakota for generations.”

Among the improvements, RCP&E will replace nearly 88 miles of rail with 136-lb. continuously welded rail, upgrade 121 bridge structures and install 11 new main line turnouts as well as 80,000 new crossties.

Upon completion, the RCP&E corridor between Fort Pierre and Rapid City will accommodate modern 286,000-lb. railcars at a minimum of 25 mph compared to the line’s 263,000-lb. freight car capacity and largely 10 mph speed limit today. The project’s first phase, which will secure materials and contractors, is expected to begin as soon as grant agreements are in place.

“With this federal grant, associated support by the State of South Dakota and our own significant investment, RCP&E will offer West River a highly competitive link to three major railroads on the national freight network,” said Rod Wiseman, RCP&E general manager. “These major track upgrades will support the West River economy, improve the productivity of current customer supply chains and further enhance the attractiveness of western South Dakota for new business investments.”

“RCP&E thanks Governor Noem, Senators Thune and Rounds, Congressman Johnson, South Dakota state legislators, many state and local officials, as well as the U.S., South Dakota and Wyoming Departments of Transportation for coming together to aggressively support this project,” said Brad Ovitt, RCP&E president. “This strong team effort will provide long-term improvements to South Dakota transportation infrastructure and enhance the movement of freight across western South Dakota to and from Rapid City as well as eastern Wyoming.”

About RCP&E

Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad, Inc. (RCP&E) was established by Genesee & Wyoming Inc., in 2014. The railroad spans more than 700 miles, serving customers in South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wyoming. It offers access to the North American freight-rail network via connections with BNSF, Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific railroads.

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