The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) announced it has applied for a Corridor Identification and Development (ID) grant with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to explore a potential intercity rail system for the Kansas City Metro area.

“We’re thrilled to take a lead in making an intercity rail system a reality for the Kansas City Metro and our bi-state communities,” said Frank White, III, president/CEO of KCATA. “A passenger rail system would not only create convenience and better accessibility for so many residents in the area, but it also would provide environmental benefits by reducing energy consumption and emissions with less cars on the road.” 

Potential Impact of KCATA Rail System

The proposed intercity rail corridor would impact 15 counties in the Metro area and would roughly extend from Topeka in the west to Independence in the east, where Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums are located.

From north to south, the corridor would go from DeSoto in Kansas and the Kansas City International Airport in Missouri to cities like Olathe and Lee’s Summit in the south. 

The FRA Corridor ID program is aimed at helping support the long-term development and delivery of passenger rail systems in communities across the U.S.