rule of thumb for new track construction is between $1 Million – $2 Million per mile, depending on who is constructing the track. Some rail clients need alot of track space to handle unit trains over a mile long. Below is a basic cost estimate for a mile long siding.

	Price per Unit [-]	# Units [-]	Total Cost [-]
No.10 Degree Switches	$25,000 per switch	2 switches	$50,000
No.10 Switch Timbers	$6,200 per timber	2 timbers	$12,400
No.2 Relay 132/136 lb rail	$700 per ton	245 tons	$171,500
7″x9′ Ties on 21″ Centers	$55.22 per tie	3,017 ties	$166,598.74
Ballast (Rock)	$27.00 per ton	6,000 tons	$162,000.00
Spikes 68 Kegs	$65.00 per keg	68 kegs	$4,000
Labor			Varies by Contractor
Grading			Varies by Contractor/Topography/Soil
Drainage Pipes			Varies by Amt of Water Runoff
Road Crossings			Varies

Paying for the siding is driven by a combination of state and local funding options, which are in turn a function of jobs, investment, and future taxes. In rare cases, with enough volume (2,000 or more railcars annually), railroads can pay for a portion of the siding construction costs.