No more kidding, resurfacing of Gordon Hill is going to take place

In the past I’ve taken some ribbing about my appeal in this column to resurface the Gordon Hill area in Corbin. The last time I wrote about the awful condition of the road the state painted fresh yellow lines on it.

Not because of my wanting, but I have been told by state officials in the transportation department that the bid was let in March for work on it and other roads in the area.

That’s great news because Highway 312 on the Whitley County side of the bridge is getting so bad it has become dangerous.
A few years ago I had visitors from Georgia ask me why the Interstate was so rough as they entered our state at Jellico coming from Tennessee. You’ll remember how it beat you while driving that stretch.

Then, a couple of years ago new resurfacing work was done in that area and it made it even better than on the Tennessee side.
That is until you got to mile marker 11. Patch work was done in the area heading to Corbin but it was still rough.

The good news is that the final leg of resurfacing on I-75 will start this summer from mile marker 11 to mile marker 20.

With its completion motorists will enjoy a smooth drive all the way from our southern border to Lexington. Improvements are also being made north of Lexington on both I-64 and I-75.

Stimulus money has become available for the long awaited connector road from the Corbin Bypass to Route 6 at Woodbine. For many years people living in that area were cut off from Highway 26 when blocked by a train. With the construction of that road it will no longer be a problem.

Also, stimulus money is available for the resurfacing of Ky. 92 at Williamsburg.

With the tight economy and the budget shortfalls, I had my doubts if the needed road construction would be possible. More areas could use attention but these I have mentioned are among those needing it the most.

•When I wrote that our Web Site would have news when it happens I didn’t expect this.

Trent Knuckles was made aware of flooding in the area around midnight Sunday. By 3 a.m. he had posted a story with pictures on the site.

That is really taking the 24/7 promise to its full extent. Not that I expect our reporters to work all hours of the night, but if it is an important happening we will post in in a timely fashion on our Web Site at www.thenewsjournal.net.
People ask me, "Aren’t you afraid that your online news will hurt your newspaper sales?"

Not at all. We have so much more to offer in our newspaper. The online update is just our way of keeping you better informed on breaking local news.

That part is free, but if you want the entire newspaper online, then you must subscribe. Local subscribers can request the online edition for free.

Those of you who live out of state and want your news quicker, then we’ve reduced the rate for the electronic edition for you.
Either way you will receive the most complete coverage of Corbin’s and Williamsburg’s news, plus the many other features we offer.

•And finally, it is no secret that Terry Forcht is a smart man. That was fully illustrated when he chose Marion as his wife. Congratulations to both of them as they celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this week.