Whitley County receiving more than $11 million in state road funding

The Kentucky General Assembly recently allocated $2 million for a design study to widen I-75 to six lanes from the Kentucky/Tennessee state line milepoint 0 to milepoint 20, and $4.4 million to address a condition on I-75 from milepoint 20.045 to milepoint 25.4.

In addition, $2.54 million has been allocated to reconfigure the existing intersection of KY 92W and Penny Lane to improve safety at the intersection. The project includes constructing a new connector road between KY 92W and Penny Lane, and reconfiguring traffic operation along Penny Lane between KY 92W, according to state figures. These are the three biggest allotments in the $11.835 million in funding for road and infrastructure projects in Whitley County.

“With this being my last session in the legislature, I am proud of the significant infrastructure investment in Whitley County,” said 82nd Rep. Regina Huff, R-Williamsburg. “My hope is that these investments will be critical to the safety and quality of life for generations to come.”

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.

Bunch also secured funding for several other road improvement projects in Whitley County.

The state allocated $1.5 million to improve safety and mobility on US 25W from milepoint 13.3 to milepoint 14.6. Included in this reconstruction will be approximately 1.3 miles of roadway to be widened and improved, and an approximately 250’ bridge replacement over Watts Creek.

There are also allocations for various other projects in Whitley County, including:

• $869,000 for a bridge project on KY 204 at Youngs Creek

• $260,000 to widen Black Diamond Road

• $321,000 to install guardrail on KY-1064

• $198,000 to install guardrail on KY-779

• $16,000 to install guardrail on KY-312

• $95,000 to install guardrail on KY-856

• $51,000 to install guardrail on KY-727

• $69,000 to install guardrail on KY-836

• $11,000 to install guardrail on KY-204In 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 57 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.