(The Associated Press circulated the following article on December 15.)
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota’s sale of 368 miles of core rail line to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway will close on Friday, the state Department of Transportation said Wednesday.
The state rescued the line – which runs from Aberdeen to Mitchell, Canton, and Sioux Falls and from Mitchell to Sioux City, Iowa – in 1980 after it was deserted by the bankrupt Milwaukee Road.
South Dakota will make $40.3 million on the deal. The proceeds will be deposited in the state’s Railroad Trust Fund.
Gov. Mike Rounds has said the deal will also improve short-line railroad access to BNSF tracks.