$5.6 million in state grants have been awarded for six Kentucky railway infrastructure improvement projects spanning seven counties.
The goal of these projects is to improve commercial rail access, enhance safety, attract investment, and create jobs for Kentuckians.
“By modernizing our rail network, we’re ensuring trains are safe and efficient while creating new opportunities for communities across the Commonwealth,” Governor Andy Beshear stated. “Every line we improve and every spur we build means safer travel, stronger businesses, and more good-paying jobs for Kentuckians, right here at home.”
“Each project is an investment in opportunity and prosperity for Kentuckians,” said Transportation Secretary Jim Gray. “These funds will ensure safe and efficient movement of goods across Kentucky while strengthening local economies and supporting jobs across our Commonwealth.”
Funding will go toward construction of two new rail spurs to serve industrial parks and manufacturing facilities, replacement of culverts on a high-density Norfolk Southern line, expansion of on-site storage and loading capacity, and purchase of new equipment to improve efficiency and safety.
The award recipients are:
--Eddyville Riverport & Industrial Development Authority, $526,581
--Logan Aluminum, Inc., $1,217,250
--Norfolk Southern, $499,000
--Novelis Corporation, $1,875,000
--Owensboro Riverport Authority, $441,245
--Stainless Steel Acquisition Co. LLC, $1,053,500
The Logan Aluminum project will add 2,100 feet of track to establish rail access to the DC4 casting center in Logan County. The new access provides the final critical link needed for the receipt of inbound raw materials by rail. That includes aluminum ingots cast at Novelis in Berea, which are transported by train to Logan Aluminum to be made into beverage cabs. In addition, the new railroad tracks will connect DC4 with the onsite ingot storage yard, allowing DC4's production volume to be transported onsite via rail instead of trucks.
Funds were distributed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet through the Kentucky Industrial Access and Safety Improvement program.
