Rail service provides a much needed, heavily utilized mode of transportation for a number of shippers in Kentucky. According to the Association of American Railroads, more than 59 million tons of freight rail originates in Kentucky, while another 36.7 million tons of freight is transported into the state via rail.
Each year, 2 million carloads of freight move on Kentucky’s railways, which include 2,100 railroad crossings in Kentucky.
More than 4,100 Kentuckians are employed in the freight rail industry. Each freight rail job supports 4.5 jobs elsewhere in the economy.
We need to maintain the current funding level of $1.6 million each year for railway safety.