FRANKFORT, KY (April 18, 2022) – Clay County will receive $30,551,000 in funding for road and infrastructure projects. The announcement follows the final day of a legislative session that resulted in a fiscally responsible state spending plan that makes significant investments upgrading and replacing the state’s outdated infrastructure, including transportation, water and waste water, and broadband.
“Safe, reliable transportation is critical not only for public safety, but also for attracting businesses and corporations who wish to invest in our community,” said Representative Derek Lewis. “Our roads make it possible to move goods and people, which is what industries are looking for when deciding on where to locate.
The funding is part of HB 242, which provides more than $2.9 billion for the maintenance and construction of state roads over the next two years. The measure also includes $370 million for the rehabilitation and construction of bridges and sets aside $250 million to match federal dollars for mega projects in Northern, Eastern, and Western Kentucky.
The Clay County allocation is earmarked for the following projects:
- $296,000 to install 3 guardrails on KY-11
- $10,000,000 to improve US-421 from Goose Creek Bridge (MP 15.4) to Chop Bottom Rd (MP 14.3) including reconstruction of highway/rail grade crossing on KY-1999 at the intersection with US-421 and KY-80
- $6,600,000 to improve geometrics along Urban Creek Rd (CR-1286) including intersections at Hal Rogers Parkway and KY-687
- $660,000 to address the condition of Hal Rogers Daniel Boone Parkway from MP 14.345 to MP 15.606
- $330,000 to address the condition of Hal Rogers Daniel Boone Parkway from MP 22.88 to MP 23.305
- $440,000 to address the condition of Hal Rogers Daniel Boone Parkway from MP 27.068 to MP 27.785..- $4,602,000 to construct a new connector road between US-421 at MP 17.51 to Railroad Ave. at MP 0.1
- $750,000 to construct a new pedestrian bridge in city of Manchester to connect to Bridge Street
- $3,300,000 to improve geometric alignment from KY-3472 at MP 1.7 continuing past the Bert T. Combs Park to the intersection of Beech Creek Rd and White Oak Rd.
- $3,600,000 to improve geometric alignment from the intersection of Beech Creek Road and White Oak Road to KY-11 at MP 14.24
“The new connector road on US-421 is a huge project that will greatly benefit our community,” Lewis added. “The $4.6 million will fund the project that includes around 300ft of new roadway along the connector, a 450ft 3-lane bridge, a new right turn lane, and new traffic signals at the intersection.”
In addition to HB 242, lawmakers also crafted a two year budget for Kentucky’s Transportation Cabinet. That bill, HB 241, includes funding for programs like an additional $4 million to increase access to driver’s license and permit testing and $11.4 million to be divided equally among the state’s 54 general aviation airports.
“This road plan and cabinet budget provide a very organized, methodical approach that both meets today’s needs and lays the groundwork for tomorrow. We only have one chance to spend each dollar and we owe it to the taxpayers of Kentucky to get it right,” House Speaker David Osborne added. “I commend House Transportation Budget Chair Sal Santoro and Representative Derek Lewis for their commitment to prioritizing critical projects and identifying how we can make the most of the resources available to us.”
Lawmakers adjourned the 2022 Regular Session before midnight April 14. For further information about this legislation or any other actions taken by the Kentucky General Assembly, visit legislature.ky.gov.
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