The purpose of the project is to bring the PAL line into good repair and consists of three project objectives

The federal Project Grant award of $62,900,000.00 was provided by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program (CFDA 20.325). The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate and upgrade the Paducah & Louisville (PAL) rail line in Kentucky.

The key objectives include: 1) upgrading the Paducah rail yard, track, and switches to improve efficiency and sustainability; 2) rehabilitating 23 bridges along the PAL line to enhance safety and resiliency; and 3) rehabilitating 19 locomotives in the PAL fleet to reduce emissions and environmental impact. These improvements will reinvigorate operations on the PAL line by reducing delays, increasing efficiencies, improving safety, and stimulating economic growth in the region. The award has an ultimate completion date of January 31, 2030.

Objective 1 consists of upgrades to the paducah yard, the track, and switches to make yard work more efficient and sustainable over the long term. The upgrade work includes the removal of 10.5 miles of double mainline and the development of two sidings. IT also includes installing new switches, moving rail and relay ties, and upgrading the signal system. Objective 2 consists of the rehabilitation of 23 bridges along the PAL line to ensure the survivability of the bridges and line to not only meet current and future demand safely and efficiently but to withstand natural disasters and the effects of climate change. Objective 3 consists of the rehabilitation of pals locomotive fleet by making necessary operational, safety, and other improvements to 19 locomotives to reduce emissions and pals overall environmental footprint, including rehabilitating 12 locomotives to tier 2. The project will reinvigorate operations of the PAL line by reducing delays, increasing efficiencies, improving safety, and reducing the risk of derailments, particularly as hazardous materials are carried over the line, and stimulating economic growth in the region.