Sioux Falls Railroad Corridor Analysis and Crossing Safety Study

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 - Public Meeting

Meeting Details: The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT), in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Sioux Falls Metropolitan Planning Organization (Sioux Falls MPO), South Eastern Council of Governments (SECOG), Cities of Brandon, Crooks, Harrisburg, and Sioux Falls, and BNSF and Ellis & Eastern Railroad companies, will host a public meeting open house to share information and gather public input about the Sioux Falls Railroad Corridor Analysis and Crossing Safety Study.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026
Time: 5 – 7 p.m. CDT
Place:
City of Sioux Falls - City Center
231 N Dakota Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Meeting Information:

The study team is conducting a comprehensive safety analysis of railroad grade crossings within the Sioux Falls MPO area. The analysis will identify crossings that may be candidates for closure, consolidation, or other safety improvements.

Rail transportation plays an important role in South Dakota's freight network, particularly in the Sioux Falls area. However, interactions between trains and vehicles can result in traffic delays, blocked intersections, and crashes, including crashes that result in serious injuries or fatalities. The study will help identify safety and operational issues at existing crossings and develop recommendations to improve safety, mobility, and traffic operations. The public’s input will help inform the study recommendations and future consideration of railroad crossing safety improvements.

For those unable to attend the in-person public meeting, or desire additional details, information about the study is available on the study website at https://dot.sd.gov/projectsstudies/studies/special-studies/sioux-falls-railroad-corridor-analysis-and-crossing-safetystudy/.

Individuals needing assistance, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), should contact the SDDOT ADA Coordinator (605-773-3540) two business days prior to the meeting to ensure accommodations are available. For any in-person meeting, notice is further given to individuals with disabilities that the meeting is being held in a physically accessible location.

Written comments will be accepted at the public meeting or on the study website. Written comments will be accepted through Monday, Nov. 30, 2026.

For more information about this study or public meeting, contact Katrina Burckhard, SDDOT Planning Engineer, at 605-773-6641 or via email at katrina.burckhard@state.sd.us.

Sioux Falls Railroad Corridor Analysis and Crossing Safety Study Survey

https://wikimapping.com/fernando/sioux-falls-railroad-corridor-analysis-and-crossing-safety-study

Overview

SDDOT and local partners are studying 130 public railroad crossings in the Sioux Falls area to make them safer and more reliable. The study is funded by the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program, which awarded SDDOT a grant in January 2025. We will review options to close certain crossings and improve others, and we will share findings with the public throughout the process. The study is scheduled to run through June 2027.

Reason for Study

Train crossings can cause crashes, delays, and blocked intersections that affect everyday travel and emergency response. Our goal is to reduce risks and backups by identifying where closures make sense and recommending practical safety upgrades—with special attention to the Cliff Avenue area near Avera Health, which has closely spaced crossings.

Background

Railroads have long supported the region, and today freight service is provided by BNSF, Dakota & Iowa (D&I), and Ellis & Eastern (E&E). With support from the FRA Railroad Crossing Elimination grant, this study focuses on practical safety and traffic operations at existing crossings; it does not move or realign rail lines. The work is a joint effort among SDDOT, the Cities of Brandon, Crooks, Harrisburg, and Sioux Falls, SECOG, the MPO, and rail partners.

Study Area

Major steps include collecting data, analyzing current and 2050 conditions, developing and comparing options, sharing recommendations, and publishing the final report. Key target dates: Notice to Proceed (March 2026), Public Open House #1 (planned for late summer 2026), Public Open House #2 (planned for early 2027), and Final Report (June 2027). Exact meeting dates will be posted when confirmed.

Study Schedule

Public Involvement

We will hold two public open houses in Sioux Falls and meet with key stakeholders and neighborhoods near the most affected crossings. Notices will be published in local newspapers and shared online. All posted materials will be ADA compliant and reviewed by the Study Advisory Team, SDDOT Communications, and the Governor’s Office before they appear on the SDDOT website.

Study Advisory Team

A multi agency Study Advisory Team (SAT) is guiding the work. Members include staff from SDDOT, the Cities of Brandon and Sioux Falls, SECOG, MPO partners, and railroads (BNSF and Ellis & Eastern). The SAT meets regularly to review progress, discuss findings, and ensure the study reflects local needs; additional members may be added as needed.

Study Technical Memorandums

As work progresses, we will publish final, approved documents that explain the study methods and findings, including: Methods & Assumptions, Existing & Future Conditions, Alternatives and Screening Results, Environmental Screening, and the Final Study Report. Drafts will not be posted; only final materials will appear on the website.

The SDDOT has retained HR Green, Inc. to perform this study. For more information or comments, please contact:

175

Katrina Burckhard

Planning Engineer

605-773-6641

Call Email

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