PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- Two railroad projects in South Dakota– including one at Fort Pierre– have been awarded a total of around $2.6 million federal funding to make upgrades and improve safety.

Jack Dokken is the program manager for the South Dakota Department of Transportation’s Offices of Aeronautics, Railroad and Transit. He says the RCP&E is getting up to $800-thousand for its 163 mile rail line between Fort Pierre and Rapid City.

The RCP&E will provide a 20% match for resilience project.

Dokken says the Ringneck & Western Railroad located just east of Plankinton is getting nearly $1.8 million for an efficiency and growth project.

The RWRR will provide a 40% match for their project.

Dokken says their partners at the Federal Rail Administration are doing a good job of approving grant requests.

The Special Transportation Circumstance program funding comes from monies appropriated to the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program.