Beshear announces $1.65 million widening project near I-75 Exit 25

Officials unveiled a map of improvements proposed at I-75 Exit 25 and along Cumberland Falls Hwy. in Corbin to ease traffic concerns. Work will begin later this year.

Since it opened in March 2009, the David L. Williams Agriculture and Exposition Center has hosted multiple events that have led to miles of traffic backups on Interstate 75.

Relief for that is now just months away as Governor Steve Beshear announced Wednesday that funding has been allocated to widen the exit ramps off of I-75 at exit 25 and widen U.S. 25W in the area.

While this particular project is not in the state’s six-year road plan, Beshear said it became a priority because of the repeated traffic tie-ups that blocked the flow of traffic in both directions.

"The (transportation) cabinet worked to alleviate the problem by reworking the traffic lights, but it was unsuccessful," Beshear noted.

Beshear added that Democrats and Republicans in local and state governments have been able to put aside their philosophical differences and come together to work to create more jobs for the citizens of Kentucky. He pointed to the jobs created and the economic development that occur because of the Arena as the reasons to expedite this project.

"Everybody out here knows how important this arena is," Beshear said. "It is vital to this area, whether it is a concert going on out there or a BMX rally, or a cancer survivors’ dinner or a show like Sesame Street Live, that arena brings in a whole lot of people to this area and brings in a whole lot of business to this area."

The $1.65 million for the project, which includes $150,000 for design and $1.5 million for construction, came from federal interstate design money. Beshear said the design work is ongoing with the project likely to be let for bid in December. Work is expected to be completed by June, but Beshear said that depends on the weather. Plans call for widening the off ramps on both north and south I-75 to add more turn lanes and to widen U.S. 25W from south of the overpass to north of the Arena intersection.

I’m glad to say that we have found a way to do this and do it quickly so that this whole area will benefit," Beshear said. 

Beshear noted this is one phase of a larger project involving the widening of Falls Hwy. between 5th Street Road and the Corbin Bypass. Funding for the design work has been included in the biennual budget.

"If it wasn’t for Gov. Steve Beshear, we would not be here today because he is the one that got this project off the ground," said Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney.

McBurney invited the governor to come back and visit and enjoy some of the attractions Corbin has to offer. He presented Beshear with the key to the city.

"You won’t have any excuse if you come down and all the lights are out and the doors are locked," McBurney told the Beshear. "You will still be able to come on in."