The South Dakota Railroad Board has authorized the Department of Transportation to begin a process that could lead to the sale of state-owned rail lines.

D.O.T. Secretary Darin Bergquist says selling the lines has always been part of the plan.

Bergquist says state ownership may have slowed some potential investments.

Bergquist says they could have some sale proposals ready later this summer.

Potential tracks to be sold include the MRC from Mitchell west, the Napa to Platte line, the Sioux River line and the Aberdeen to Britton line.