Railroad board taking steps to allow line to be torn up and salvaged

YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – The South Dakota Railroad Board has taken the first steps to allow part of the Napa – Platte line to be torn up and salvaged.

State D.O.T. Deputy Secretary Joel Jundt says Dakota Southern, the operator of that line supports the proposal.

Jundt says that portion of the line would then be railbanked.

Jundt says any money from the sale of the salvaged material could be used elsewhere on the state owned rail lines.

The rail line from Napa Junction, in Yankton County, has seen very little use west of Tabor since it was rehabilitated. The rail board voted to amend the lease with Dakota Southern as the first step in tearing up the line.