Iowa State Rail Plan, Final Report, November 2021

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) has developed this Iowa State Rail Plan (SRP) for the purpose of guiding the state’s short- and long-term rail freight and passenger transportation planning activities and project development plans through the year 2040. Iowa DOT serves as the State Rail Transportation Authority (SRTA) and the State Rail Plan Approval Authority (SRPAA), and has the responsibility to review and approve the State Rail Plan. This SRP describes the state’s existing rail network and rail-related economic and socioeconomic impacts. It also describes the State Rail Plan process, Iowa’s rail vision and supporting goals, proposed short- and long range capital improvements, studies, and recommended next steps to address the issues identified. This SRP is intended to meet the requirements established under Section 303 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA) which provides for enhanced State involvement in rail policy, planning, and development efforts, including requiring States to develop FRA-accepted SRPs in order to be eligible for the capital grants authorized in PRIIA and the subsequent FAST Act. This SRP has also been developed in compliance with the Final State Rail Plan Guidance as specified by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in September 2013