(The Associated Press circulated the following article on November 23.)
YANKTON, S.D. — Progress is being made in negotiations to work out the details of a proposed sale of the state-owned railroad line, the head of the Dakota Southern Railway said Tuesday.
In April, Gov. Mike Rounds said a general agreement had been reached under which the Burlington Northern Santa Fe would buy the state-owned rail line for about $41 million.
But state and BNSF officials said the sale hinged on whether details of the plan could be worked out.
Alex Huff, president of Dakota Southern, said a deal must be getting closer because he signed his part of the agreement on Monday. Under the plan, Huff said his company gains trackage rights to Sioux City, Iowa.
Huff said Rounds deserves credit for “sticking to his guns” in a long and drawn out process.
State Transportation Secretary Judy Payne told The Associated Press on Monday that negotiations with BNSF were continuing.
Payne previously has said the settlement will not become final unless BNSF works out operating agreements with a number of short-line railroads that want to use the track. The settlement also requires the state to make improvements to some parts of the line if the sale becomes final, she said.