Paducah and Louisville Railway awarded $29 million for projects

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - A Kentucky-based railroad company will be sharing in the $1.4 billion awarded by the federal government this week for projects that improve railway safety and boost capacity across the United States.

Officials with Paducah and Louisville Railway, Inc. (PAL) say they have been awarded up to $29.563 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to rehabilitate 23 bridges along PAL's line; make various track improvements at PAL's Paducah Yard; and rehabilitate 19 locomotives. In order to receive the federal award, PAL is required to contribute $33.337 million to the project costs.

PAL's President and CEO Tom Greene said, "Paducah & Louisville Railway is thrilled to see this significant federal investment awarded. Thanks to this funding, PAL is strongly positioned to overhaul and upgrade our rail infrastructure, laying the groundwork for future economic development throughout Kentucky."

USDOT awarded the grant as part of the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) competitive grant program. PAL will use the funds to significantly improve the safety of rail operations over the PAL Line and bring the entire PAL rail line, which extends 280-miles from Paducah, KY to Louisville, KY, into a state of good repair.

PAL's Foster Economic Sustainability Throughout Kentucky Project, which costs $62.9 million in total, received bipartisan support from key stakeholders at both the Federal and State levels including U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, Congressmen James Comer, Brett Guthrie and Morgan McGarvey; former Congressman John Yarmuth, Governor Andy Beshear, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray, Kentucky Senators Danny Carroll, Matthew Deneen, Jason Howell and former Senator Dennis Parrett, and Kentucky House members Randy Bridges, Richard Heath, and Steven Rudy.

Greene noted the broad and influential support was crucial to securing the federal funding award. "We are grateful for the bipartisan supporters at the Federal and State levels, who helped secure today's federal grant, and for the opportunity to continue the growth and prosperity of Kentucky."

PAL's Project also received overwhelming support from the numerous shippers and communities served by PAL, who depend heavily on the PAL Line and its connection to the national network via interchange with four Class I carriers.