It took a while, but finally 312 got blacktop

For over 15 years I have been writing columns complaining about the condition of Hwy. 312, Gordon Hill, in Corbin. Finally, the state paved part of the road last week.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

Notice I said part. They left a small section as it was and have not touched the Laurel Co. side of the 312 bridge.

For many years there had been a bad pot hole at the corner of Gordon and Kentucky Streets that occasionally got a shovel of cold mix thrown in it.

When the state paved Hwy. 25 from Corbin to London they did not leave sections as they were, they paved it all.  It would have been so much better to have paved the entire section of 312 also.

I guess we should be thankful for what we got but it took far too long. I have a feeling that the city of Corbin gets put on the back burner when it comes to road paving by the state.

Example: A few weeks ago I drove Hwy. 25 from Berea to Jellico. It was in excellent driving condition except for a 10 block area in downtown Corbin. This area is Kentucky Street, part of Hwy. 25. The right lane of the street is in bad condition. (Advice to drivers; drive in the left lane, it is much smoother.)

In the past I had friendly discussions with officials in the Highway Department about Hwy. 312 and was told it was “in the plans.” Until last week I had given up on anything happening.

I also understand that paving Kentucky Street is in the plans. It will require grinding up old pavement in order to lay new pavement.

Applause for the city of Corbin city manager. Every time the city gets an appropriation for road paving they pave problem areas. This year was another good example as they paved as many streets as they could with the priority going to those that needed it the most.

I suppose I should have started this column with urging everybody to vote, but I was so elated with the paving. However, early voting is this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Mark White, our news editor, has worked overtime to collect information about the candidates, published in a special section of the News Journal this week.

This should be helpful for you when you are choosing a candidate to vote for. Good luck to all candidates. The News Journal will have election returns in next week’s edition.