South Dakota
Costs, benefits, and priority the latest update in Amtrak expansion to South Dakota
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Possible Amtrak expansion to South Dakota is moving along, albeit slowly.
The Federal Railroad Administration’s Long Distance Service Study received its fourth and final update, painting a better picture of how much each of the 15 proposed routes would cost, what benefits they could bring in, and how the FRA is planning to prioritize each route.
The interest following the third update in February sparked a flurry of public comments. In the updated study, the FRA estimates that over 47,000 comments were received, 99 percent of those being in favor of expanding long-distance Amtrak service. Of comments mentioning specific routes, the Twin Cities to Denver route received around 300 comments alone.
For Dan Bilka, president of the advocacy group All Aboard Northwest, the comments show that nationwide, people are wanting to have passenger rail as a travel option more than ever. In South Dakota, that means bringing back a mode of transit that hasn’t been available in over 50 years.
“That just goes to show how much latent interest from the general public to not only to talk about passenger rail, but to actually see stuff move forward,” Bilka said.
MORE: Advocates: Proposed Amtrak service a big first step for South Dakota
Three major pieces of information came with the latest update. Those are conceptual service schedules, costs and benefits, and the prioritization of routes. It’s important to note that all of this information is only an estimate, and the FRA states that more studies would be needed to flesh out each route.
With the Twin Cities to Phoenix route, based off an average travel speed of 48 miles per hour which is what current long-distance Amtrak routes experience, it would take around 47 hours to travel from end to end. This route covers over 2,100 miles through 10 states. Travelers leaving St. Paul, Minnesota in the early morning can expect to be in Phoenix about two days later. In stops like Sioux Falls and Sioux City, no trains would arrive or depart between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
The Twin Cities to Denver route would see trains leave St. Paul in the early evening, arriving in Denver around 26 hours later. Most of the stops in South Dakota along the 1,143 mile route would be during the evening.
The study also now lists preliminary cost and benefit analysis studies for each route, although again, these should only be viewed as estimates.
The Twin Cities to Phoenix route would cost anywhere between $500-710 million in vehicle costs, $1.16-1.51 billion in station and maintenance facility costs, and $700-910 million in track upgrades. In total, the route could cost anywhere between $2.41-3.13 billion dollars. Additionally, it would cost between $64-91 million each year to operate.
The report also includes estimated benefits. Jobs supported by initial construction range from 30,900 to 40,200, with earnings ranging from $2.07-2.69 billion. Jobs then supported annually would range from 1,100 to 1,600, and annual earnings are estimated to come out between $59-84 million.
With the Twin Cities to Denver route across the entire state of South Dakota, vehicle costs are estimated to be $440-570 million, station and maintenance facilities could cost $1.29-1.68 billion, and track upgrades could cost anywhere from $4.49-5.83 billion. That total range comes to anywhere from $6.22-$8.08 billion. Additionally, it’s estimated to cost $56-80 million each year to run.
For estimated benefits on the route, initial construction could support 91,100 to 118,400 jobs, with earnings coming to $6.05-$7.86 billion. Annual jobs supported is estimated at 1,000 to 1,400, and annual earnings could range from $52-74 million.
MORE: Transportation Secretary throws cold water on South Dakota Amtrak expansion
Experts and advocates have pointed out in the past there are other benefits for travelers, and that public transportation often does not recover what it costs through tickets or tolls.
Bilka said those numbers are a good starting point in knowing how much it would cost to build out each route, but noted there’s still plenty of unknowns.
“When you look at what they’re just factoring today, which are just ‘passenger specific projects’ for upgrading the track to the classification needed for passenger rail, yes it looks significant. But they aren’t accommodating for what they’d have to do with the other routes, which are capacity projects, which on some of these other routes could be quite significant.
MORE: Considering economic pros and cons of potential passenger rail expansion
Bilka said the public benefits of having passenger rail available still outweighs the costs, and said the investment of that type of money could match the impact of what building the Intestate Highway System or each dam along the Missouri River could bring. It would also outnumber the total amount of funding the state has received in Special Transportation Circumstance grants over the years, about $27 million each year in lieu of having passenger rail access.
“There would be many times the rate of return on investment for the public input and the public value that it would bring to these projects and communities, which would be very significant and far outweigh the meager funding we’ve gotten through the STC grant program,” Bilka said.
The final big piece of information made available is how the FRA lists each route for prioritization. That takes into account the level of complexity for each route, the level of benefits, and level of cost. Scores can range from three to 15, with 15 being highest on priority.
The Twin Cities to Phoenix Route scored a nine, tied for fourth place. The Twin Cities to Denver route scored an eight, tied for tenth.
Bilka said while those routes rank in the middle of the pack, he said it doesn’t address the travel demand from each station along the route to another, rather from hub to hub, as South Dakota has a higher demand for its closer cities.
“That we have so much of a pull factor going up to the Twin Cities, and same West River down to Denver that way, but it’s really linking those two as one part of an integrated transportation network,” Bilka said. “Such as for both routes here through South Dakota, that we could look at what about starting with a simple phase of here in Sioux Falls up to the Twin Cities, and same out West River such as Rapid City through Denver.”
The final step from the FRA is to put together the final report based on its findings, and deliver that to Congress. It’s unknown when that will happen, but the FRA estimates it will happen still this year. Meanwhile, Bilka said it’s on them and hte public to voice their support of each route to members of Congress, as well as state and local leaders.
More on Amtrak Expansion to South Dakota
– Amtrak expansion grabs interest from tourism organizations
– Thune weighs in on Amtrak expansion to South Dakota
Copyright 2024 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
The South Dakota State baseball team is fighting for its season today against Arizona State in the Lincoln Regional. The game is set for 2 p.m.
The No. 4 Jackrabbits (24-32) lost 4-1 to No. 1 Nebraska in the opening game. No. 3 Arizona State lost a 706 heartbreaker to No. 2 Ole Miss in the opening round in 14 innings. The game took nearly 5.5 hours and ended around 1:20 a.m.
Here’s how to watch South Dakota State’s win-or-go-home game.
Watch South Dakota State baseball vs … on ESPN+
South Dakota State vs. Arizona State baseball stream, radio
Stream: ESPN+
Radio: KJJQ 910 AM
South Dakota State vs. Arizona State time today
- Date: Saturday, May 30
- Time: 2 p.m. CT
- Location: Haymarket Park in Lincoln, Nebraska
South Dakota State vs. Arizona State prediction
Paul Cifonelli, Argus Leader: This was always a tough draw for South Dakota State, as I thought this was the toughest regional in the country. At worst it’s the third toughest, with Chapel Hill and College Station in contention.
The Jackrabbits do have an advantage since Arizona State and Ole Miss went at it until after 1 a.m. Both teams stressed their pitching staffs, and every at bat required intense focus. The problem is South Dakota State doesn’t have the same top-end pitching these other teams do.
If Drew McDowell pitches, the Jacks might have a shot here. Otherwise they’ll have to win a slugfest, and I just don’t like those odds.
Prediction: Arizona State 8, South Dakota State 3
MISSION, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – In rural South Dakota, miles often separate expectant mothers from healthcare.
“A lot of women out here are left without any maternity care options,” said Rachel Kocak.
In Mission, moms mark their due dates and calculate miles to the nearest delivery location. Rachel Kocak, expecting her third child, said one option just closed.
“We used to have a birthing unit, I think up until a couple of months ago, and they lost their OB. So, Winner is no longer delivering babies,” Rachel said.
Some mothers remember when they could reach the hospital within a five-minute drive.
“IHS, for tribal members, they don’t deliver babies out here or provide prenatal care,” Rachel explained.
Families hope to reach the hospital before the baby arrives.
“So women either have to drive to Valentine, which is about 30 to 35 minutes from Mission, they can go to Wanblee, which is on the Pine Ridge Reservation, or they have to go to Pierre, Rapid City, or Sioux Falls,” Rachel said.
And if the roads are bad.
“I think there are a lot of babies who are unintentionally born at home. So it’s a tough place, I think, for mothers,” Rachel said.
The March of Dimes breaks down government data, showing a large portion of rural South Dakota as a maternity care desert, requiring travel of 38 or more minutes to reach an appointment or delivery room. The infant mortality rate is higher among native American babies born, compared to other races.
Health Department maps show counties in medium blue have 56 infant deaths per 100,000 births. Dark blue counties have three times as many. Grants aim to increase the number of healthcare workers, and funding supports a doula workforce program.
Kocak would like to see doulas and midwives available.
“Great opportunity for anyone who wants to become a home-birth midwife out here. The birth rate is still, I’m not sure what it is, but it’s high. There’s still a growing young population, and just not enough people to help deliver the babies,” Rachel said.
If care were closer, the outcomes could be brighter.
“You know, having the support network can make a huge change in the lives of these young, you know, these babies and young mothers who are building new families,” Rachel said.
The South Dakota Department of Health released a statement to Dakota News Now, which can be read in full below.
The South Dakota Maternal and Infant Health Task Force was created in 2025 to bring partners together to help improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and infants across the state. Their 5-year strategic plan was recently released, which has three priority areas: postpartum care to improve maternal health; safe sleep education and prevention strategies to protect infant health; and systems of care work that improves access, coordination, and quality of care statewide. One of the strategic plan activities that is supported by Rural Health Transformation is the creation of Regional Maternal and Infant Health Hubs, which will create a hub-and-spoke network connecting hospitals, clinics, tribal health services, and community organizations. These hubs will improve care coordination, strengthen referral pathways, and expand access to services for families in rural and tribal communities.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
While the race to secure the nomination for governor has dominated the headlines ahead of the June 2 primary, Republican voters will also choose a candidate for one of South Dakota’s two U.S. Senate seats.
Incumbent U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, who is seeking a third, six-year term, holds a comfortable lead over his GOP primary challenger, Justin McNeal, a Navy veteran and business owner from Rapid City, according to the latest poll from News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy.
Here is a recap of the two candidates along with their thoughts heading into the June 2 election. The winner of the Republican primary will meet Democrat Julian Beaudion and Independent Brian Bengs in the Nov. 3 general election.
Hometown: Fort PierreAge: 71Occupation: Insurance broker; businessman; former governor (2003-2011); U.S. senator since 2015In their own words:
Rounds provided the following statement to News Watch:
“Working in the U.S. Senate, I’ve stayed focused on results that matter for our kids and grandkids. That means keeping the government off your back and out of your business and wallet. That means keeping our communities safe and creating a business climate that encourages job growth to keep our kids in South Dakota. And that means safety through a commitment to our men and women in uniform.
This past summer, we worked with President Trump to pass the Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts legislation. Without Congressional action, the average South Dakota family would have seen a $2,500 tax hike this year. Our legislation not only prevented the largest tax increase in American history, but it also provided additional tax relief for hard-working South Dakota families. That includes no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and no tax on Social Security for nearly 9 out of 10 seniors.
We’ve accomplished some great things, but our work is not done. I am running for reelection to continue bringing results back home to South Dakota.”
Hometown: Rapid City (born in Illinois and raised in Texas)Age: 42Occupation: Business owner (Dakota BioChar); Navy veteran (2001-2007)In their own words:
“I’m feeling the people in South Dakota are ready for a change. The challenge we are running into is that not enough people know who we are, but as soon as they know who we are, it’s an easy decision for them,” McNeal told News Watch in a phone interview. “I don’t have millions and millions of dollars. I’ve been largely self-funding this race up to this point.”
McNeal, who is a licensed pilot, said he has flown his small plane to events throughout the state in an attempt to get his name out.
“I talk to people about the issues that matter and I tell them the biggest thing you can do to help me is tell 10 people about me and to go vote June 2. We need about 50,000 votes to win the primary,” he said.
McNeal is not critical of Rounds and conceded “he is very popular” but said Rounds has not done enough to tackle the country’s growing fiscal deficit.
“I don’t think Mike is doing a bad job. I’m just concerned with the federal debt and the people that got us into that mess are not going to be the ones to get us out of it,” McNeal said.
“This is going to cripple the country. It just seems like politicians are focused on what they can bring to their home district or home state. And the problem with that is every member of Congress is doing the same thing, so everyone is taking and taking without making sure we can pay for it.”
South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, donate and subscribe for free at sdnewswatch.org. Contact politics and statehouse reporter Alexander Rifaat: 605-736-4396/alexander.rifaat@sdnewswatch.org.
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