The Saskatchewan government has announced grants of 530 thousand dollars to 13 short line railways across the province.

The funding assists with track upgrades and expansion, improved crossing surfaces, bridge maintenance, track rehabilitations and more.

The province provides up to 50 percent of eligible project costs.

The funding of 530 thousand dollars goes to all 13 short lines, operating on 21 hundred kilometers of track.

The funding ranges from 25 thousand dollars to 129 thousand dollars, depending on amount of track owned by the short line.

The vice president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Todd Lewis of Gray, says the funding is important for the farming community.

Lewis says short line railway movement of grain is the most cost-effective way to ship the product to market.