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3/22/2024
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is soliciting public input on the state’s latest rail plan.The 2024 plan is a high-level guidance document that provides a snapshot of current passenger- and freight-rail operations and opportunities to increase Kentucky’s economic growth and improve the quality of life, KYTC officials said in a press release. It will serve as a helpful resource for railroads seeking to expand or enhance their service through federal grant opportunities, they added.Work on the latest plan began in fall 2023 through an infrastructure assessment, which enabled local stakeholders and operators to better understand the strengths and challenges the rail network is facing and begin identifying future opportunities. KYTC organized focus groups and conducted industry interviews to discuss and review the initial findings. The current and next phases focus on gathering input from the public and on development of the rail plan document, KYTC officials said. The plan will include information from the initial phases as well as identified rail needs, opportunities, potential investments and improvements. KYTC held open houses March 11-13 and solicited public input online to better determine how rail is used and how Kentucky should prioritize future rail needs. Next year, KYTC expects to review and finalize the rail plan for adoption and implementation. “As a multimodal state, this plan has the potential to guide improvements to our passenger- and freight-rail system, and enhance rail service that benefits everyone,” said Jeremy Edgeworth, KYTC’s freight, rail and waterways coordinator.