Tabor to Platte Rail to Trail Feasibility Study

The trail feasibility study for the Tabor to Platte rail corridor is underway. This study is being jointly funded by the Friends of the Tabor to Platte Rail to Trail Inc. and the federal Transportation Alternatives Program, which is administered by the South Dakota DOT. During the study, the team will analyze the feasibility of converting the rail corridor to a trail. Main feasibility topics that will be examined include:

• Financial – what is the construction and maintenance cost of a trail, and where would funding come from?
• Political – where is there more or less public support for a trail, and what agencies may serve as partners?
• Technical – what improvements would be needed to construct a trail along the corridor, including bridges, road crossings, surfacing, and parking?

Funding for the study comes from the non-profit organization Friends of the Tabor to Platte Rail to Trail Inc. and the federal Transportation Alternatives Program, which is administered by the South Dakota DOT. Using study results, feasibility determinations for various segments of a possible trail will be made by the rail corridor owner, the South Dakota Railroad Board.

Public Meeting Information: 

Public Meeting #1 (March 4-6, 2025):

Public Meeting Handout
Public Meeting Notice 
Presentation
Public Meeting Displays
Location Map

Public Meetings: The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has a long history of public involvement in the development of transportation plans and projects. The 2005 passage of the Safe, Accountable, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires a public involvement process. Public meetings for the project scope and/or design will occasionally be scheduled to collect public input, provide information and answer questions.