Area rail lines included in state improvement funding

Funding approved by the state for railroad safety and infrastructure improvements includes work on rail lines in area counties.

During Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update, Governor Andy Beshear announced the awarding of nearly $3 million in grant funds to railroads and local governments, financing nine projects in seven counties.

According to a release from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, among the announced grant awards is $1.6 million in Rail Crossing Improvement Grants. These improvements “range from signal and light enhancements at crossings to adding raised curb medians with delineators to improve traffic flow.” The grant program covers up to 80 percent of eligible project costs.

The Paducah and Louisville Railway received about $777,000 through these grants to enhance safety and reliability at three key crossings:

-Raised curb medians at the Red Hill Road crossing in Hardin County

-Signal and light upgrades at the Crume Road crossing in Hardin County

-Full crossing renewal at the Ray Priddy Road crossing in Grayson County

The railway says these projects will improve safety as well as efficiency for freight movement in the region.

Visit the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s website for more information including a full list of grant award winners.