BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a $20,714,004 grant through its Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program to the Red River Valley & Western Railroad (RRVW) Company for a series of safety and capacity upgrades under the Safety Enhancements and Capacity Upgrades for Reliability and Efficiency (SECURE) Project. The funding will allow RRVW to replace 25 miles of aging rail on its 3rd Subdivision, which stretches from Gwinner to Oakes, as well as construct two new sidings near Casselton to facilitate train holding.

The improvements are set to bolster North Dakota’s agricultural supply chain by enhancing the safe and efficient movement of grain and other commodities to market. RRVW is the sole connection to the national rail network for many communities, making the reliability of this infrastructure critical to the state’s producers.

“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), who serves as the 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.”

The grant follows a letter of support for the SECURE Project submitted to the DOT by the North Dakota Delegation in May, as well as efforts led by Senator Cramer to advocate for continued CRISI program funding earlier this year. The delegation also previously helped secure CRISI funds for RRVW in 2023, aimed at supporting safe and efficient rail operations at the new soybean crushing facility in Casselton.