Kansas KDOT Awards $75 Million for Rail Logistics Hubs and Agricultural Freight Corridors

TOPEKA, KS — Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed announced the distribution of $75 million in state matching grants under the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE), funding 18 major freight rail and agricultural highway modernization projects.

Accelerating Grain and Industrial Freight Movement

The funding packages provide capital to construct four multi-commodity rail loading loops capable of handling 110-car unit grain trains in Salina and Dodge City, while funding passing relief lanes and heavy-axle bridge reinforcements along US-50 and US-54. KDOT freight modeling projects the upgrades will remove 45,000 heavy long-haul grain trucks from two-lane rural roads annually, reducing pavement wear and improving road safety for local commuters.

Governor Kelly affirmed that modern transportation infrastructure connects Kansas farmers and manufacturers to global export markets while creating sustainable regional jobs.

Railroad and Agricultural Coalition Endorsements

Short line railroad associations praised the rail spur grants for expanding direct interchange access with Class I rail carriers.

Kansas grain elevator cooperatives highlighted that unit train loops reduce grain storage turnaround times during peak autumn harvest.

Groundbreaking Milestones

Construction on the Salina rail logistics hub will commence in October 2026.