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7 | Page December 2 0 I ssueGovernor Kelly Announces $13M for Rail Service ImprovementsTOPEKA (12.18.2024) %u2013 Governor Laura Kelly announced on Wednesday that 14 Kansas rail projects will receive a total of $13 million through the Kansas Department of Transportation%u2019s (KDOT) Rail Service Improvement Program (RSIP).%u201cThese projects reflect the diverse needs faced by our Kansas communities and rail operators,%u201d Governor Laura Kelly said. %u201cBy bolstering the state%u2019s rail network, we will promote economic opportunity throughout Kansas.%u201dThe selected projects, located across 16 counties, enhance the state%u2019s rail network by promoting economic efficiency, supporting sustainability and addressing critical infrastructure needs. The $13 million award represents the program%u2019s $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.%u201cImplementing these improvements will inevitably foster long-term growth,%u201d Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed said. %u201cWe%u2019re 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.%u201dAmong the selected projects are the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad in Dickinson County and the Seaboard Energy Hugoton Rail Expansion Project in Stevens County.An official state heritage railroad, the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad experienced a significant rise in ridership through Kansas Tourism's \address critical infrastructure improvements in areas where train separation 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 Project Title County AwardAbilene & Smokey Valley RailroadKansas Heritage Railroad PreservationDickinson $471,722Cimarron Valley Railroad Hugoton to Satanta Rail Upgrade Phase IStevens $1,944,996Kansas & Oklahoma RailroadMeridian WYE Upgrades Sedgwick $420,000Kansas & Oklahoma RailroadTimber Bridge Conversion Fill on PipeBarton/Rush/Ness/Lane $724,185KYLE Railroad Phillipsburg Yard Rehabilitation ProjectPhillips $1,320,264KYLE Railroad Yuma Sub Rail Replacement Phase IICloud $1,185,783