Kentucky Directs $2.5 Million to Freight Rail Projects
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In an effort to boost multimodal freight transportation, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced $2.5 million in awards to improve at-grade rail crossings.
An at-grade rail crossing is where roadway intersects with railroad tracks at the same level or grade. There are approximately 250,000 such crossings in the U.S., according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The purpose of the grants, which were distributed to six railroad companies, is to improve public safety and freight movement. According to the Association of American Railroads, Kentucky has 2,583 miles of freight railroad.
Beshear
The awards were issued to Norfolk Southern Corp., CSX Corp., Paducah & Louisville Railway, R.J. Corman Railroad Group, Fredonia Valley Railroad and the Kentucky Railway Museum.
“Quality transportation is more than safe roads and bridges,” Beshear said. “It includes safe railways, too. Freight transportation supports our thriving economy and this funding will support key rail improvements to keep our state moving.”
The grants will support 24 safety projects in 10 counties. Projects will range from upgrading signals and installing new signage to removing obstructive vegetation to improve visibility.
The funds were issued through the Kentucky Rail Crossing Improvement program, which is jointly administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Planning, and Division of Right of Way and Utilities.
The program will fund 80% of the total project costs to maintain and improve at-grade rail crossings. Award recipients will provide a 20% match.
The largest individual award, representing $544,604 in state funding, was awarded to the Paducah & Louisville Railway for a full crossing renewal in Jefferson County. The most populous county in the state, Jefferson County encompasses Louisville.
Five grants, each totaling $2,000, were awarded to the Kentucky Railway Museum and will assist with obstructive vegetation removal activities in Nelson County. Nelson County is 45 miles south of Louisville.
Four grants were awarded to R.J. Corman Railroad Group to upgrade signals and lights in Jefferson County and Fayette County, which includes Lexington.
About half of the projects involve reconstructing existing crossings. This work will involve removing the crossing, replacing it with new drainage and subgrade underneath the tracks, installing new ballast and crossing panels and placing fresh asphalt between the outer rails and the approaching roads. Usually made of crushed rocks, ballast is the material that helps hold the tracks and ties in place.
“Maintaining efficient railroads is critical to ensure the safe and timely transportation of goods our railroad companies and consumers rely on,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “This infusion of funding will finance the majority of these needed projects to keep our railroad industry on track for success.”
In the selection of the recipients, KYTC considered factors such as crash history, truck, car and train traffic, physical condition and project cost.
Safety is an important issue at rail crossings. The Federal Railroad Administration has reported that 94% of all rail-related fatalities and injuries occur at railroad crossings or are the result of trespassing. More than 400 rail-related fatalities occur each year due to trespassing.
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