Federal funding will support a major track rehabilitation and capacity expansion project on the Red River Valley & Western Railroad in North Dakota. The investment targets aging rail infrastructure and operational constraints along key freight routes, supporting the railroad's ability to handle growing customer demand while improving working conditions for crews.
The Federal Railroad Administration selected RRVW for up to $23,646,750 through its CRISI grant programme. The railroad will contribute the required 25% non-federal share.
The project includes replacing approximately 26.4 miles of existing 90-pound rail, which is more than 100 years old, between Gwinner and Wyndmere. Crews will also replace approximately 19,200 timber cross ties to improve track condition and reliability.
Another major component involves extending the existing siding at Wahpeton Junction. The current 1,800-foot siding will be expanded to approximately 10,000 feet, providing additional space for rail operations and freight movements.
The planned upgrades are expected to increase rail capacity, reduce derailment risks and limit congestion and delays. The longer siding will provide crews with more room to manage railcars and reduce unnecessary switching movements caused by limited track capacity.
RRVW Local 1137 Chairperson Tyler Van Hee highlighted the operational benefits for railroad employees, including safer working conditions and more efficient freight handling.
The grant follows three earlier CRISI-supported projects across the railroad's network. Previous work included replacing 14.5 miles of jointed rail with continuous welded rail between Oakes and Independence, as well as improvements to rail, ties and mainline turnouts between Wahpeton and Kindred.
A third award supports additional rail replacement between Oakes and Gwinner, a track near Maple River Grain and an 8,000-foot siding near Casselton Airport.
SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) supported the latest funding effort through advocacy directed to federal transportation officials. Union President Jeremy Ferguson urged Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Railroad Administration Administrator David Fink to support the railroad's SECURE2 project.
The railroad credited SMART-TD and its leadership for supporting the funding application. The union said the investment benefits railroad employees as well as agricultural producers, grain elevators and processors that depend on reliable freight transportation.
The project demonstrates how federal infrastructure funding can support short-line railroads facing aging track conditions and increasing freight demand. For North Dakota's agricultural supply chain, improved rail capacity can help maintain dependable connections between producers, processors and broader freight networks.
For construction and infrastructure stakeholders, the work represents a substantial investment in track replacement, tie installation and siding expansion, with safety and operational efficiency central to the project.
Source: SMART.
