The Missouri Department of Transportation wants public input on a $1.3 billion plan for improving and expanding rail service across the state.The 20-year plan covers both passenger and freight service. Recommendations include preserving and expanding freight rails, spurs and sidings – and for passenger service, more round trips between St. Louis and Kansas City and pursuing new passenger routes across Missouri. MoDOT’s Kristi Jamison admits that finding the necessary funds won’t be easy.
“There’s a long ways to go, and a lot of this, just like on the highway side, it puts a plan out there and it allows us to go for something,” Jamison said.
Jamison says they expect most of the money to come from Washington, but that state and local matches and public-private partnerships could also be included.