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The South Dakota Department of Transportation and Dakota Southern Railway Co. are wrapping up a two-year, $28 million rehabilitation project on a 61.6-mile state-owned rail line between Mitchell and Chamberlain. The project is designed to provide the state's farmers more options for storing, hauling and selling their crops.

The line's rehabilitation facilitated construction of a Gavilon-Liberty Grain L.L.C. terminal in Kimball and created opportunities for further economic development in the area, South Dakota DOT officials said in a prepared statement. The new $32 million grain elevator in Kimball will result in lower shipping costs, expanded markets and better prices for grain producers, they said.

"Rehabilitation of the tracks between Mitchell and Chamberlain has further enhanced shipping choices," said South Dakota Transportation Secretary Darin Bergquist. "South Dakota's farmers [will reap] the financial benefits of the improved and expanded rail service that not only provides more economical transportation of grain, but it also takes many heavy grain trucks off our roads."

State officials plan to hold a ceremony tomorrow to dedicate the rehabilitated rail line and mark the grand opening of the Gavilon-Liberty Grain terminal. The ceremony will be attended by South Dakota Gov, Dennis Daugaard, U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and Bergquist.

The sale of 369 miles of state-owned core railroad track to BNSF Railway Co. in 2005 led to improved rail service to elevators in Highmore and Harrold from the Class I's grain shuttle program, South Dakota DOT officials said.