Office of Gov. Kelly
Governor Laura Kelly announced on Wednesday that 14 Kansas rail projects will receive a total of $13 million through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) Rail Service Improvement Program (RSIP).
“These projects reflect the diverse needs faced by our Kansas communities and rail operators,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By bolstering the state’s rail network, we will promote economic opportunity throughout Kansas.”
The selected projects, located across 16 counties, enhance the state’s rail network by promoting economic efficiency, supporting sustainability and addressing critical infrastructure needs. The $13 million award represents the program’s $10 million annual funding combined with $3 million in carryover funds and loan payments from past projects.
KDOT received 22 applications totaling more than $33.1 million in project costs, with funding requests surpassing $23 million. The program requires a 30 percent match from each recipient, resulting in a total rail infrastructure investment of more than $18 million.
“Implementing these improvements will inevitably foster long-term growth,” Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed said. “We’re proud to be able to provide additional funding this round, strengthening connectivity and supporting communities that rely on having access to an efficient and reliable rail network.”
Among the selected projects are the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad in Dickinson County and the Seaboard Energy Hugoton Rail Expansion Project in Stevens County.
As the official state heritage railroad, the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad experienced a significant rise in ridership in 2024 through Kansas Tourism's "Sunflower Summer" program. The RSIP project will address critical infrastructure improvements in areas where train separations and derailments have occurred in the past.
Located on the Cimarron Valley Railroad network, the Seaboard Energy project will increase capacity for receiving feedstock, reducing the need for off-site transloading.
Selected 2025 RSIP projects are:
Sponsor: Abilene & Smokey Valley Railroad
Project Title: Kansas Heritage Railroad Preservation
County: Dickinson
Award Amount: $471,722
Sponsor: Cimarron Valley Railroad
Project Title: Hugoton to Satanta Rail Upgrade Phase I
County: Stevens
Award Amount:$1,944,996
Sponsor: Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad
Project Title: Meridian WYE Upgrades
County: Sedgwick
Award Amount:$420,000
Sponsor: Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad
Project Title: Timber Bridge Conversion Fill on Pipe
County: Barton/Rush/Ness/Lane
Award Amount:$724,185
Sponsor:KYLE Railroad
Project Title: Phillipsburg Yard Rehabilitation Project
County: Phillips
Award Amount:$1,320,264
Sponsor: KYLE Railroad
Project Title: Yuma Sub Rail Replacement Phase II
County: Cloud
Award Amount:$1,185,783
Sponsor: South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad
Project Title: Cherryvale Interlocker Upgrade
County: Montgomery
Award Amount:$420,000
Sponsor: South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad
Project Title: Coffeyville 286K Bridge Upgrades
County: Montgomery
Award Amount:$998,471
Sponsor: South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad
Project Title: Fall River Curve Upgrade
County: Wilson
Award Amount:$1,057,952
Sponsor: Cornejo & Sons
Project Title: Cornejo Materials Rail Service Improvement Projects
County: Cowley/Elk/Sedgwick
Award Amount:$389,484
Sponsor: Seaboard Energy
Project Title: Seaboard Energy Hugoton Rail Expansion
County: Stevens
Award Amount:$2,170,000
Sponsor: Seaboard Foods
Project Title: Hugoton Feed Mill Rail Expansion
County: Stevens
Award Amount:$525,169
Sponsor: Skyland Grain
Project Title: Expanded Local Moves on Shortline
County: Grant/Stanton/Stevens
Award Amount:$700,000
Sponsor: Weskan Grain
Project Title: Weskan Grain Additional Industry Loading Tracks
County: Greeley
Award Amount:$700,000
14 Projects Total
$13,028,06