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Board agrees to write letter supporting Ellis & Eastern CRISI grant to upgrade rail
Summary
The board agreed to provide a letter of support for Ellis & Eastern's CRISI (Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements) grant application to replace 80‑lb rail with 115‑lb rail, add sidings and upgrade track to allow increased speeds and capacity on the Sioux Falls–Worthington corridor.
Rock County commissioners agreed to provide a letter of support for Ellis & Eastern Railroad’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant application.
Staff briefed the board that the project would replace lighter 80‑lb rail with heavier 115‑lb rail, add siding track, and upgrade a segment of line to a higher track class to allow increased train speeds and capacity on the Sioux Falls–Worthington corridor; a portion of the work would be in South Dakota. Staff said Ellis & Eastern would be responsible for matching funds for the Buffalo Ridge Regional Railroad Authority and that the county would not be required to provide matching dollars but would be asked for a support letter. The CRISI application deadline was reported as the end of June.
A commissioner moved that the county provide a letter of support and the board approved the move by voice vote. Staff said they would coordinate with the regional railroad authority and local congressional delegation and could prepare the support letter before the next meeting if the board authorized it.
The board’s letter of support is administrative; any county financial commitment would require subsequent authorization.
