Governor Laura Kelly announced two short line railroad companies in Kansas are being awarded a combined $47 million in federal funding for rail improvement projects as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
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Watco, based in Pittsburg and with rail operations across the western and southeast portions of Kansas, is being granted up to $15.7 million to convert eight locomotives into fully battery-powered units.
In southeast Kansas, the Neodesha Subdivision of the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad (SKOL), a subsidiary of Watco, will receive up to $31.2 million for track-related improvements.
“Through public/private partnerships, we are stepping up to take advantage of once-in-a-generation infrastructure funding made available through BIL – resulting in big wins for Kansas,†said Governor Laura Kelly.
The two Kansas projects are part of a $1.4 billion investment being made by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) into 70 rail improvement projects in 35 states and Washington, D.C.
This is the largest amount ever awarded for rail safety and rail supply chain upgrades through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program.
Nearly two-thirds of this round of CRISI funding is being directed to rural communities.
Projects selected through the CRISI program support community safety through track improvements, bridge rehabilitations, fewer highway-rail grade crossings, upgrades on routes carrying hazardous materials, reduced emissions, and more.
Kansas 2023 CRISI projects
kWat: Electrifying Watco Locomotives Project (Up to $15,740,943)
The project involves final design and construction to convert eight locomotives into fully battery-powered units to be deployed across Watco’s short-line railroads in varying operational and geographic environments.
The project will improve system and service performance and reduce emissions and maintenance expenses. Watco is providing a 20% match.
Southeast Kansas Short Line Rail Upgrade and Growth Project (Up to $31,225,484)
The project will improve approximately 37 miles of South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad track, improving operations and capacity. CRISI funds provide SKOL the ability to increase load carrying capacity to meet customer demand. KDOT and SKOL will provide a 20% match. ■