Project Background
The Wyoming Department of Transportation's (WYDOT) State Rail Plan (SRP) will serve as a statewide long-range planning document for rail infrastructure and improvements that align with the goals and objectives of WYDOT and its partner agencies. The plan will provide a foundation for parties interested in intermodal planning and development, provide general guidance for future operating policies or planning documents, and will serve as a reference for rail-related business investments and operations in Wyoming.
The SRP will:
- Analyze current rail conditions
- Identify trends
- Develop forecasts
- Recommend improvements and investment strategies for rail infrastructure and projects
- Outline a Rail Service and Investment Program
- Include a Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Action Plan
Analyze current rail conditions
Identify trends
Develop forecasts
Recommend improvements and investment strategies for rail infrastructure and projects
Outline a Rail Service and Investment Program
Include a Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Action Plan
Rail Network
Project Schedule
2025
-
Spring
Plan Kick-Off -
Summer
Stakeholder Meetings -
Fall / Winter
Online Public Meetings
2026
-
Winter
Draft State Plan Stakeholder Meetings Online Public Meeting -
Spring
Final State Rail Plan Draft Grade Crossing Action Plan Final Grade Crossing Action Plan
Resources
The State Rail Plan (SRP) is just one piece of the larger transportation planning picture in Wyoming. This plan is informed by and will inform other planning activities taking place within WYDOT.
Frequently Asked Questions
The State Rail Plan will establish the State policies involving freight and passenger rail transportation in the state and will present priorities and strategies to enhance rail service in the state. The SRP will serve as a basis for Federal and State rail investment opportunities.
The Rail Service and Investment Guide will provide guidelines for investment in rail and establish a list of the rail investment opportunities to help achieve the State's vision for rail transportation.
The purpose of the Wyoming Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Action Plan is to describe the Wyoming Department of Transportation's (WYDOT) current practices and programs related to highway-rail grade crossing safety, conduct a safety analysis to identify potential emphasis areas and key areas for improvement.
The rail system is widely used by many industries, but the most common uses of the railroads include those related to agriculture, industrial manufacturing, and domestic energy. Major commodities transported in Wyoming via rail include coal, bentonite, soda ash, sulfur, oil, natural gas, coal bed methane, and agricultural crops.
While Wyoming does not currently offer passenger services, there are studies currently being conducted to determine if future passenger rail is feasible. The SRP will consider these ongoing studies when identifying investment priorities.
- Class I: BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad (total of 1, 727 route-miles)
- Class II: Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad (total of 7 route-miles)
- Class III (Short-Line): Bighorn Divide & Western Railroad and Swan Ranch Railroad (total of 16 route-miles)
Leave a Comment
Thank you for your interest in the Wyoming State Rail Plan! We want to hear from you — please use the comment map or comment form below to let us know.
Comment Map
Use this interactive comment map to leave comments about specific at-grade rail crossings, transload facilities, and anything else railroad-related.