USDOT program invests in 3 Kentucky projects to connect communities, improve safety and reliability, and enhance economic development
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 8, 2026) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that Team Kentucky has secured three grants totaling $73 million to increase designated truck parking spaces at rest areas, replace the historic Singing Bridge in downtown Frankfort and expand Paducah’s main riverport. The federal funding is made available through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). The Governor also thanked Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation for their support in the state receiving the funding.
“Through these grants, we’re supporting our Kentucky families, businesses and communities by investing in safe, efficient and reliable infrastructure that moves our commonwealth forward,” said Gov. Beshear. “From the Singing Bridge to Paducah’s riverport and rest areas across our state, this $73 million is going toward important projects that will make a difference. I want to thank our Kentucky delegation and everyone who played a part in helping us secure this funding.”
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) was awarded a $25 million BUILD grant to nearly double truck parking spaces from 201 to 387 at seven rest areas along four major freight corridors in Oldham, Boone, Woodford and Bullitt counties. Additional truck parking will address limited capacity at rest areas and provide commercial drivers with safer truck parking options. This grant will join with state funding to add much-needed parking for truckers and will improve safety for all drivers.
“This $73 million investment in our transportation infrastructure is an investment in our economy and in every Kentuckian’s quality of life,” said KYTC Secretary Rebecca Goodman.
The need for additional truck parking has been identified as a national priority and recognized as a vital issue in Kentucky. In the 2022 Kentucky Truck Parking Assessment and Action Plan, Team Kentucky identified key areas where current demand exceeds the existing designated spaces, and the KYTC Truck Parking Improvement Project was created to improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of the commonwealth’s freight network and transportation system.
The project includes expanded and upgraded truck parking at existing rest areas along Interstates 64, 65, 71 and 75, new or enhanced Truck Parking Information Systems (TPIMS) at each site and construction of new restroom facilities at the southbound I-75 Boone County site.
The second $24 million BUILD grant, awarded to KYTC in partnership with the city of Frankfort, will support the replacement of the historic Singing Bridge on U.S. Highway 60X, which crosses the Kentucky River. To ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians, the 130-year-old structure was closed in 2024 following extensive engineering analysis and structural testing that confirmed the bridge was unsafe and could not be reopened to vehicle or pedestrian traffic. Further repairs were not feasible, making replacement the only option to restore safe and reliable passage. Prior to its closure, about 4,000 vehicles used the bridge on a typical day, but emergency vehicles, transit and other heavy vehicles were prohibited due to weight restrictions.
After a public meeting late last year to present preliminary plans, engineers are designing a replacement bridge over the Kentucky River in downtown Frankfort to provide a safe, reliable crossing for drivers, walkers and cyclists. A second public meeting to get feedback on preferred plans is anticipated, after which final design of the new bridge will begin, followed by the right-of-way and utility relocation phases and other steps leading to construction. Details will be shared when they are available.
The commonwealth’s third BUILD grant, $24 million awarded to the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority, will expand the main public port in Paducah, at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers, which is at full capacity. The port is a major hub for companies that tow barges on the country’s inland waterways.
The new location, Riverport West, will serve as an extension of the main public port. The planned location is adjacent to the Triple Rail Site, a space that local economic development leaders have marketed for years for its connections to three rail lines and access to water and highway transportation.
The USDOT Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program provides competitive federal funding for transportation projects that demonstrate significant local or regional impact. This year, the federal government has awarded $1.73 billion in BUILD grants to 127 projects in 52 states, territories and the District of Columbia.
For more information on these projects, visit https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictFive/Pages/Singing-Bridge-Replacement-Project.aspx, Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority - Inland Port Facility and Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program | US Department of Transportation.
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