The Rail Service Improvement Program is for facilitating the financing, acquisition, qualified track maintenance or rehabilitation of railroads and rolling stock in the state of Kansas. Annually, $10 million in funding is available for projects that enhance safety, promote economic efficiency, and sustainability to the state’s rail network.

 SFY 2026 Call for Projects

• Official Application Portal - Microsoft Forms
• Sample Application and Required Attachments
• SFY 2026 Press Release
• SFY 2026 RSIP Timeline

Funding

• 70% of eligible project costs will be made available to grantees on a reimbursable basis after expenditures have been deemed allowable, allocable, reasonable, and necessary to the approved project before seeking reimbursement. The grantee will be responsible for the remainder of total project costs.

Eligibility

• Class II or Class III railroads 
• Port authorities in Kansas 
• Owners or lessees of industry tracks adjacent to Class II or III railroads 

Project Requirements

• Kansas shippers need a Letter of Support from the serving railroad
• Support 286,000 lb. railcar capacity 
• Maintain Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) track Class I standards for sidings/industrial tracks and Class II for main tracks 
• Meet FRA and American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) guidelines 
• Undergo final inspection by a third-party FRA-qualified track inspector
• Projects must be completed within 12 months unless an extension is granted

Selection Criteria

• Safety enhancements 
• Long-term operation support 
• Efficiency in goods movement and logistics 
• Short-term impacts and benefits 
• Economic benefits and competitiveness 
• Local support and investment 
• Job creation and market service 
• Reduction in truck traffic 
• Improved operational efficiency and reliability 
• Long-term viability of the railroad

Resources

• Rail Service Improvement Program Guidelines
• Kansas House Bill 2335 Enrolled
• Short Line Railroad Tax Credit

Contact