Plans for expansion of U.S. 25 discussed; hundreds attend meeting

Above, West Knox Volunteer Fire Department Chief Darryl Baker studies a map, with other local citizens, of proposed changes to U.S. 25 between London and Corbin during a meeting last week.

As transportation officials review the feedback they received last Thursday at a planning meeting for the expansion of U.S. 25 between London and Corbin, they are awaiting the next step, which is in the hands of the state legislature.

Jonathon Dobson, spokesperson for the transportation cabinet district office in Manchester, said the next step would be to select the type of highway. At the meeting, designers show potential routes for both a five-lane highway and a four-lane highway with a grass median.

Over the next year, Municipal Engineering, the company hired to design the project, will be working to complete the design. Dobson said the current funding allows for the completion of the design work. As part of the design work, Dobson said there will be at least one more public meeting such as the one held Thursday.

“The next round of funding will be for the purchase of right of way and to move utilities,” Dobson said, noting that will take approximately two years to complete.

As with other phases, the exact timing is based on funding provided by the legislature.

The 2014 legislative session will include the biannual budget, which will include funding of projects such as U.S. 25

State Representative Regina Bunch (R-Williamsburg) and State Senator Albert Robinson (R-London) both said they will push for funding the project, citing the need.

While the design currently calls for the road to revert to two lanes on U.S. 25W near Kentucky Fried Chicken, Robinson said he will also be pushing to extend that to the intersection of U.S. 25W and Master Street in Corbin.

“You can’t just end it with nowhere for all that traffic to go,” Robinson said.

Construction is expected to take at least 10 years once dirt is actually moved. Dobson said the work will be done in sections as is done with the construction of new interstate highway, with the area around the intersection of U.S. 25E and 25W likely to be the first section.

As to Thursday’s meeting, Dobson said most of the feedback from the 120 people that attended has been positive.

One of those who offered some reservations was Jennie Mills, owner of Fabric World on U.S. 25 just north of the intersection of 25E and 25W.

Mills explained that she was surprised when she learned that instead of widening the existing roadway, the plans called for the construction of an entirely new section of road. As part of that, the old road would become a dead end when it reached 25E.

“It is going to take everyone away from my business,” Mill noted, explaining that she relies on travellers who stop in while passing through for a significant amount of her foot traffic.

“I have snow birds, I have Canadians and I have race fans that stop in on their way to Bristol,” she said.

Dobson said the purpose of the meetings is to keep the public informed, even if not everyone likes the proposal.

“Everyone understands that something needs to be done,” Dobson said.