Beshear awards nearly $3 million for rail safety, infrastructure projects

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

FRANKFORT, Ky., (KBSI) — Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday the award of nearly $3 million in grants to railroads and local governments for nine rail safety and infrastructure projects in seven Kentucky counties.

The funding will support rail line expansion, access road construction and upgrades to signals and lighting at public rail crossings, state officials said. The projects are intended to improve safety for motorists, attract business investment and support economic growth.

“In our New Kentucky Home, we’re building a transportation system that works for families, businesses and communities,” Beshear said. “These investments focus on vital railway safety and connectivity upgrades that will help keep everyone safe while continuing to boost Kentucky’s booming economy.”

The grants were awarded through two programs administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The Kentucky Rail Crossing Improvement program provides up to 80% of eligible project costs for safety and traffic-flow improvements at public crossings. The Kentucky Industrial Access and Safety Improvements program offers 50% matching funds for projects that enhance rail connectivity and support economic development.

Transportation Secretary Jim Gray said reliable rail infrastructure is essential to safety and commerce statewide.

Two industrial access projects totaling nearly $1.4 million will rehabilitate and reactivate 6,400 feet of track in Jefferson County and support construction of an access road and storage and loading areas at the Owensboro Riverport Authority. The Owensboro Riverport received $1.12 million for the project.

Rail crossing improvement grants totaling $1.6 million were awarded to Paducah and Louisville Railway, Norfolk Southern, R.J. Corman and the Bourbon County Fiscal Court for projects in central and western Kentucky. The improvements include signal and lighting upgrades and traffic-flow enhancements at public crossings.

Paducah & Louisville Railway received $776,831 to improve safety and reliability at three crossings in Hardin and Grayson counties.

Since taking office, the Beshear administration has awarded $10.2 million through the rail crossing improvement program and $13.6 million through the industrial access and safety program, officials said.