The Oklahoma Transportation Commission has voted unanimously to sell a stretch of railroad between Sapulpa and Oklahoma City to Stillwater Central Railroad.
The sale of the 97.5-mile segment could pave the way for passenger rail and more freight service in the Oklahoma.
The sale, which is expected to be finalized in July, will transfer the state-owned rail line known as the Sooner Subdivision to Stillwater Central Railroad, a subsidiary of WATCO out of Pittsburg, Kansas.
As part of the deal, ODOT made it clear that the buyer, which was either BNSF or Stillwater Central, must implement a six-month trial period for passenger rial service along the line. The minimum requirement is one passenger train, 5 days a week within five years of the purchase.
Stillwater Central was already leasing the rail line from ODOT, the purchase price is $75 million.