Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced his state had awarded $3.1 million for seven infrastructure projects to enhance railroad lines and industrial access sites
The funding, part of the Kentucky Industrial Access and Safety Improvement (KAISI) program, and the Kentucky Short Line Infrastructure Preservation (KSLIP) program, will invest in rail modernization, including a safety monitoring system, scale installation, two new transloading locations for freight transfer, a railcar repair facility, erosion control and more, officials said.
“Kentucky’s rail network is an economic engine that moves millions of tons of freight and generates billions in labor-income every year,” said Gov. Beshear. “These projects will support good-paying jobs and help keep our railways running smoothly and safely for years to come.”
The award announcement is the third round of KSLIP funding and the fourth round of KIASI funding. Each grant project is selected by committees made up of staff from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. Applications are prioritized based on their enhancements to existing rail lines, job creation and capital investment, as well as how they retain or attract rail-served industries. Applicants provide a 50 percent match for the projects.
“Investing in infrastructure such as railroads is an investment not just in transportation but in our people,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman. “Through this grant program, we’re creating more economic opportunities for more Kentuckians.”
One of the KSLIP grant recipients was Paducah and Louisville railway (PAL), which received $900,000 for an upgrade to its monitoring system. The funds will support eight hot-box detectors that will enhance a system to proactively monitor, collect data and analyze train component temperatures.
For KIASI funding, Jared Donaldson Trucking LLC received $500,000 to go towards a rail spur, new scales, conveying systems and installation of a new turnout that will allow railcar access for direct loading onto trucks.
In total, Beshear has awarded more than $32 million through the two state grant programs to strengthen the state’s railway infrastructure and industrial sites since 2024.