Kansas Department of Transportation officials say they’re still waiting on news of federal funding on a proposed expansion of the Heartland Flyer passenger rail service into the state.
KDOT held a virtual meeting Wednesday to provide an update on the extension of the service into Wichita and Newton, to connect with the Southwest Chief line that runs from western Kansas to Kansas City.
Transportation officials said that the biggest hold-up for the project is potential federal funding to get it started. The proposed expansion would connect Oklahoma City to Newton. KDOT says that the expansion project could be up and running by 2029 if funding is approved.
The Federal Railroad Administration under the U.S. Department of Transportation has developed a Corridor Identification and Development Program to support passenger rail projects. A decision could be announced later this month on whether Amtrak will get funding for the Heartland Flyer expansion.
[ photo: Amtrak – Facebook ]
