(The Associated Press distributed the following article on July 22.)
YANKTON, S.D. — The largest improvement project since two railroads merged is halfway to completion.
The Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern and the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad are undergoing $66 million worth of improvements that include 100 miles of new track, 800 miles of new surfacing and railroad ties and 200 new flat cars.
A new siding and connection with the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railway at Florence, Minn., should be done this fall.
Kevin Schieffer, president and CEO of both railroad companies, said the new infrastructure will help deliver grain and other products faster and more efficiently. Engineering crews and contractors have risen to the challenge of rebuilding the railroad, he said.
The DM&E has 1,103 miles of track mostly in South Dakota and Minnesota. Its main line extends from the Mississippi River at Winona, Minn., across southern Minnesota and central South Dakota to Rapid City.
The IC&E has 1,400 miles of track in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.