Minnesota DOT awards grants to nine freight-rail projects

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has selected nine freight-rail projects to receive $6.95 million in grant funding through the Minnesota Rail Service Improvement program.

MnDOT received 15 applications requesting a total of $14.7 million for this round of grant funding, which was approved during the 2021 special legislative session, MnDOT officials said in a press release.

The grant awards, recipients and projects are:

• $1.9 million to RLS GL Intermediate II LLC in Dundas to improve and expand rail access at an intermodal refrigerated facility;
• $1.2 million to the Northern Country Cooperative in Lansing to install a rail loop track that will connect to an existing rail line;
• $1 million to the Central Farm Service in Delavan to expand and improve rail-yard efficiency;
• $641,000 to F.W. Cobs Co. Inc. in Stewart to install a modern bulk rail out system to load rail cars and an in-track rail-car mover to increase loaded car volume at a facility;
• $599,000 to Minnesota Commercial Railway in New Brighton to upgrade a stretch of track to safely accommodate heavier rail cars;
• $536,000 to KT Transload LLC in Ortonville to upgrade and modernize an abandoned rail spur to connect new business to an existing rail line;
• $381,000 to Northern Lines Railroad in St. Cloud to modernize and upgrade rail and switches and rehab one concrete grade crossing;
• $370,000 to Red River Grain Co. in Breckenridge to modernize and upgrade rail track to safely accommodate higher rail volume; and
• $322,000 to the Minnesota Valley Regional Railroad Authority in Morton to rehab a rail bridge.   

"The number of applications received again this winter continues to show the strong demand for improving freight-rail infrastructure throughout the state," said Peter Dahlberg, MnDOT transportation planning director for rail and freight programs.

Established in 1976, the program provides grants for freight-rail improvements that support economic development.