Three rail service improvement projects are funded in Minnesota

Three projects improving rail service in the state have been announced by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).

The agency’s Minnesota Rail Service Improvement programme will supply $1.55 million in funding to help strengthen the state’s shipping economy and assist companies that ship by rail to improve their operations.

The city of Becker received an award of $1 million for Northern Metal Recycling to add a 7,000-foot rail spur to a new processing facility, Epitome Energy, LLC, Crookston, was awarded a $450,000 grant for new rail infrastructure for a new soybean processing and biodiesel facility, and Minnesota Commercial Railway will use its $101,139 award to replace a railroad bridge over Rice Creek in New Brighton.

MnDOT received nine applications totalling more than $4.5 million for rail service improvement projects. Projects selected were based on the impact of state dollars on rail service and economic development.

“The programme is designed to rehabilitate deteriorating rail lines, improve rail-shipping opportunities and preserve and maintain abandoned rail corridors for future transportation uses,” said Peter Dahlberg, Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations. “These three projects will positively impact local economies and the overall rail system across the state.”