Governor Andy Beshear has announced that more than $5.6 million in state grants will fund six railway infrastructure improvement projects across seven counties in Kentucky, including Daviess County.
He says these projects will improve commercial rail access, boost safety, encourage new investment, and create jobs for Kentuckians.
According to a release, the funds will be distributed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet through the Industrial Access and Safety Improvement program.
The Kentucky Industrial Access and Safety Improvement grant program allocates $7.5 million each fiscal year for matching grants, covering half the cost of railroad equipment, construction, reconstruction, upgrades, or rehabilitation of rail facilities, or engineering work tied to major capital projects.
Funding will support the construction of two new rail spurs to serve industrial parks and manufacturing facilities, replacement of culverts along a Norfolk Southern line, expansion of storage and loading areas, and the purchase of new equipment to boost efficiency and safety. The six grant recipients are:
Eddyville Riverport & Industrial Development Authority, $526,581
Logan Aluminum, Inc., $1,217,250
Norfolk Southern, $499,000
Novelis Corporation, $1,875,000
Owensboro Riverport Authority, $441,245
Stainless Steel Acquisition Co. LLC, $1,053,500
State officials noted that this announcement is part of Team Kentucky’s ongoing efforts to enhance rail safety and infrastructure through projects supported by the Kentucky Rail Crossing Improvement and Kentucky Industrial Access and Safety Improvement programs, as well as a new grant initiative called the Short-Line Infrastructure Preservation program.
In April, the Governor announced a $3.6 million investment for 12 rail projects supported through the program’s funds in partnership with the Cabinet for Economic Development.
