Kentucky awards $1.3 million in grants for rail crossing projects

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) last week announced $1.3 million in grants to improve multimodal freight transportation as part of the state's Rail Crossing Improvement Program.

Administered through the KYTC Division of Planning, the matched funds will be used to maintain and improve local and regional railroads, KYTC officials said in a press release.

Awards were issued to Paducah & Louisville Railway, R. J. Corman Railroad Group, Louisville and Jefferson County Riverport Authority, KYTC Highway District 3/Glasgow Railroad Co. and KYTC Highway District 10/CSX.

The grants will be used for 21 projects, affecting 17 crossings and four signals.

In selecting the awardees, the cabinet examined crash history, vehicle, train and truck traffic, physical condition, project cost and the federal railroad crossing score. The majority of projects will rehabilitate crossing surfaces, including pavement, ballast, ties and rail replacements.