Matching state grants will fund repair of riverport roads, track | News

Governor Steve Beshear today announced that five Kentucky public riverports, including Owensboro, have been awarded state grants to fund repairs and improvements needed for maintenance of access.

The Owensboro Riverport Authority received:

• $91,932 toward repair, resurfacing and extension of the riverport’s entrance road.
• $26,384 toward repair of riverport-owned railroad track.

“Our Kentucky riverports play an important role in the movement of freight and raw materials on which business and industry depend,” Gov. Beshear said. “These grants represent an investment in a critical part of Kentucky’s commercial supply chain.”

The grants total $405,442 and are to be matched dollar for dollar by the riverports. Applications for the grants were reviewed by the Water Transportation Advisory Board and recommended to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for approval.

Henderson’s Riverport Authority received $41,130 toward removal and replacement of 4,570 square feet of damaged concrete dock.

Other recipients and projects included:

Paducah McCracken County Riverport Authority

• $100,000 for replacing 9,800 square feet of damaged concrete dock.
• $50,000 toward repair of rails and replacement of a deteriorated railroad switch on riverport-owned track.

Louisville and Jefferson County Riverport Authority

• $50,000 for replacement of deteriorated crossties on riverport-owned railroad track.

Hickman Fulton County Riverport Authority

• $45,996 toward construction and installation of a floating bridge and dock system for accessing barges at docks.