DOT Awards Over $20 Million to Red River Valley & Western for Safety and Capacity Upgrades

BISMARCK, N.D. - The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced an award of $20,714,004 through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program to the Red River Valley & Western Railroad (RRVW) Company for safety upgrades under the Safety Enhancements and Capacity Upgrades for Reliability and Efficiency (SECURE) Project. Specifically, the grant will replace 25 miles of century-old rail on RRVW's 3rd Subdivision between Gwinner and Oakes, and construct two new sidings to hold trains near Casselton.

The track infrastructure upgrades will improve safety and enhance the transport of grain and other commodities to market for producers, strengthening North Dakota's agricultural supply chain. For many communities in North Dakota, the RRVW serves as shippers' only connection to the national rail network, underscoring the importance of providing reliable service.

"North Dakota is an export-driven economy, and our commodities need safe, reliable rail service to get goods to market," said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. "Red River Valley & Western's network is a critical artery for agriculture producers in Eastern North Dakota and this investment will improve the service it provides."

In May, the North Dakota Delegation wrote a letter to DOT in support of the project and earlier this year Cramer led his colleagues in urging continued funding for the CRISI program. The delegation also helped RRVW secure CRISI funds in 2023 to support safe and efficient rail service at the new soybean crushing facility in Casselton.