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South Dakota Railroad Authority (SDRA) recently filed a notice of exemption with Surface Transportation Board to acquire about 23 track miles from Rutland Line Inc. in Sargent County, N.D.


Rutland Line and SDRA in early June reached an agreement, under which the state would purchase the line for $400,000 from Rutland Line owner Red River Valley & Western Railroad Co. (RRVW).


SDRA plans to link the track with a 50-mile line between Aberdeen, S.D., and the North Dakota that the state acquired last year from Burlington Northern Santa Fe. State officials believe the continuous Aberdeen-to-Geneseo line would open additional agricultural markets to farmers and communities along the route.


Both lines, which were damaged by floods in the 1990s, have been out of operation the past two years.


SDRA also plans to acquire from Rutland Line 275 feet of track that would enable the 23-mile line's future operator to interchange with another carrier.


SDRA plans soon to choose between BNSF, RRVW, and Dakota, Missouri Valley & Western Railroad Inc. to operate the entire 73-mile stretch.