The Kansas Department of Transportation provided $5 million in grants to support 13 railroad projects on October 6 through the agency’s Short Line Rail Fund program, which it created in July.
The program is a partnership between the public and private sector, as applicants are required to provide 30 percent in matching funds. The Kansas DOT noted that the 13 projects it selected for Short Line grants in 2020 seek to improve and/or construct nearly 15 miles of track totaling a $7 million investment.
“This project, and the IKE program as a whole, exemplify the change in how this administration does business,” said Governor Laura Kelly (D) in a statement – referencing the Eisenhower Transportation Legacy or IKE program approved by the state legislature and signed into law in early April.
“Kansas will benefit because of programs like IKE, which demonstrates how government can be dynamic, fiscally responsible, and implement cutting-edge strategies to produce results for our communities,” she emphasized, noting that the IKE program is committed to providing $5 million in Short Line Rail Fund grants annually for the three years.
“We recognize the important role that rail plays in our state’s economy and the Short Line Rail Improvement Fund is another opportunity for us to partner with industry to help modernize and make needed improvements,” added Julie Lorenz, Kansas DOT’s secretary. “Across all of our funding programs, KDOT is partnering on rail projects worth over $102 million in 36 counties across Kansas.”
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