We are part of The Trust Project.
GLENCOE — A $1.5 million rail infrastructure grant will improve rail shipping for some of the most productive agricultural counties in southwestern Minnesota.
The Federal Railroad Administration announced the funding on Thursday. It is part of the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program. Nationally, the program awarded 46 projects in 32 states and the District of Columbia more than $368 million.
According to a news release from the Federal Railroad Administration, the Minnesota funding will allow the Twin Cities & Western Railroad to improve 12.2 miles of track on its line between Glencoe and Plano.
It will replace deteriorating track with continuous welded rail that is stronger and safer. The improved track reduces the risk of derailments and decreases repair and maintenance costs.
These improvements will build off previous work to enable a continuous segment of continuous welded rail from west of Glencoe all the way to the Twin Cities. The project qualifies for the statutorily required set-aside for rural investment. The Class III Twin Cities & Western Railroad will provide a 50 percent match.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to the rail line's website, the Twin Cities & Western Railroad and its affiliate lines, the Minnesota Prairie Line and Sisseton Milbank Railroad, include 360 miles of tracks serving agricultural counties in South Dakota and Minnesota. The line follows the former Milwaukee Road line from Milbank, South Dakota, through Montevideo and Granite Falls and Renville County in western Minnesota to the Twin Cities.
