PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The South Dakota State Railroad Board has agreed to support an application for a Special Transportation Circumstance or S-T-C grant filed by the Ringneck and Western Railroad.  The Board heard Ringneck’s and others proposals last week.  Board member Scott Lockwood says the Ringneck and Western hauls a lot of product from Lyman County east.

Board member Jerry Cope says the Ringneck and Western has picked where the state left off with the former Mitchell to Rapid City line that runs largely along Interstate-90.

Board member Jack Nelson also agreed with Cope and Lockwood.

Steve Sharnweber, another Board member also supported approving the application.

The Board’s chair Jeff Burket also agreed but wanted to see Ringneck’s contribution to the 10-million dollar project increased to 25-percent from 20.  The state Rail Board’s approval is not the end of the tracks.  The application must be approved by the Federal Railroad Administration.  Ringneck is asking in the grant for approximately eight-point-three million dollars.