Selections from railroads, 1983

INTRODUCTION

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CHAPTER I

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

This document, RAILPLAN SOUTH DAKOTA 1983, is South Dakota's official rail planning document for 1983. This plan is an update of the 1981 plan and its addendums and is designed to be a stand-alone document independent of prior work. This document has four purposes:

- Inform the public of the rail planning process

- Inform the public of the rail system characteristics

- Document plans for the expenditure of funds

- Maintain eligibility for federal funds

To accomplish these objectives, the plan is divided into four (4) major chapters plus the appendices.

Chapter II documents the organizational structure, planning process and goals and objectives for plans and projects. Also included are major past planning efforts, past projects and significant events affecting State rail transportation since the publication of the last rail plan.

Chapter III highlights the rail system in place today and some of its characteristics. This chapter documents the rail carriers, miles in service, traffic levels, types of commodities carried and other pertinent information to assist the reader in understanding the rail network and its importance.

Chapter IV is designed to address future rail planning activities in South Dakota. It addresses past activities, future direction and methods of achieving the goals in place.

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The appendices contain the official Railroad Map, a rail/highway map, detailed rail traffic characteristics and a documentary of the State purchased lines.

This plan serves as a documentary of rail planning in South Dakota. It is designed to be a working document to acquaint the reader with past activities and projects, to provide sufficient information to explain the need for a rail system and to document proposed future rail improvement projects.

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TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS

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CHAPTER II

CHAPTER II

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS

Rail planning in South Dakota developed in response to a variety of rail issues. Abandonments, bankruptcies, car shortages and load restrictions have drastically changed the character of rail operations in the State. This chapter reviews the organizational structure for rail planning and the mechanics for the overall planning process. A brief description of the past planning effort has been included to document and add insight into state purchases and rail projects. The policies, objectives and goals outlined in this chapter add direction to rail planning, project implementation and the development of this plan.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Rail planning in South Dakota was, until July 1, 1983, the responsibility of the Division of Railroads, within the South Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT). The Division was established July 1, 1975 and abolished through Department reorganization on July 1, 1983. Figure II-1 shows the current organizational structure of the South Dakota DOT. Rail planning is now one of the functions of the Division of Planning within the DOT. This Division has multi-modal planning responsibilities for all modes in which the State is currently engaged. A Railroad Advisory Commission was established on July 1, 1977 that provided public input and guidance into the planning process. This Commission was abolished on July 1982 and its duties were transferred to the Railroad Board. The Board also provides policy for the Division in matters relating to the management of State-owned railroad property. The South Dakota Railroad Authority is a public financing mechanism created to acquire and improve railroad facilities.

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