RAPID CITY, SD – The Cambell Street overpass reconstruction project and area development got a necessary piece in place to start project planning.

On Monday, the Rapid City Common Council approved the Railyard Relocation and Railway Configuration Study during the regular council meeting. The railyard relocation study approved will shepherd the relocation of the railyard under the Cambell Street overpass to a Box Elder location.

Currently, the Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad (RCP&E) railyard sits in the middle of a developing urban corridor, creating a physical barrier that prevents the expansion of low- to medium-density housing east of the rail yard at Fairmont Boulevard and Minnesota Avenue, while forcing trains to block major intersections like East Saint Patrick Street during routine switching operations.

The railyard is also an obstacle in the reconstruction of the Cambell Street overpass area. When the railyard has been relocated, the City of Rapid City and South Dakota Department of Transportation will have better access to the area to undertake what will be a years-long reconstruction project of the Cambell Street bridge, reconfiguring that roadway.

The study has been a years long effort of the Rapid City Area Metropolitan Planning Organization tasked with studying the feasibility of relocating the railyard and opening the door for residential expansion in the area.

Several sites were studied during the railyard relocation study. Ultimately, relocating the train station to Box Elder was the best option and would be away from residential areas.