The Kansas Department of Transportation is asking for public comment on the Kansas Rail Plan.
Currently in the draft process, the Rail Plan is set to give an overview on freight rail networks as well as commodity flows and economic data on the freight side of the business. It is also designed to give information about passenger rail in the state.
Upwards of 120 freight trains pass through Emporia on a daily basis with the city on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s Southern Transcon line. Fpr several years, the city was also under consideration for resumed passenger rail service through Amtrak, but that effort is stalled and unlikely to proceed with Emporia’s depot burned to the ground in 1999 and never replaced.
Rail plan updates are required every five years. The public comment period is underway now and concludes July 22.
