Friday, November 6, 2009

A partnership between the state and private groups will bring much-needed repairs to the short-line Cimarron Valley Railroad.

The railroad has been vital to moving crops from Kansas for export to Mexico for 13 years.

Now a joint effort between the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Port Authority of the Southwest and the Cimarron Valley Railroad will bring repairs to the track.

John Maddox, of the Kansas Department of Transportation, says the $15 million project will include new cross ties and new ballast, and other track components. Each entity will contribute $5 million to the effort.

The rail line spans 294 miles with interchanges in Boise City, Okla. and Dodge City, Kan. It hauls about 10,000 carloads per year.