Kentucky recently awarded five railway infrastructure projects $1.8 million in Kentucky Industrial Access and Safety Improvement (KIASI) program grants.
“This grant program has allowed us to make targeted investments in our rail network and industrial access sites that are making a real difference,” Rebecca Goodman, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet secretary, said. “These projects keep access points connected between rail and road, ensure timely performance, limit wear and tear on our roadways, and keep Kentuckians and our commerce moving.”
A selection committee composed of staff from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development reviewed applications and made recommendations for funding. Applications were prioritized based on criteria such as project readiness, retaining existing or attracting new rail-served industries, job creation and capital investment, and enhancements to existing rail lines.
This round of funding, the program’s sixth, will help rehabilitate and reactivate thousands of feet of track, build a new railyard and update safety monitoring systems. Applicants must provide a minimum of a 50 percent match per project.
Awardees include Bowling Green ITA. The company was awarded more than $460,000 to rehabilitate 6,100 feet of existing rail spur and install new flashing-light signals at the Commonwealth Boulevard crossing.