Grants will provide for long-awaited resurfacing of two rural routesFRANKFORT, Ky. (May 11, 2022) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear presented a ceremonial check for $135,870 to the Franklin County Fiscal Court to be applied toward the long-awaited resurfacing of two rural roadways – Hamilton Lane and Union Ridge Road – in the northeastern corner of the county.
The award is discretionary funding through the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). Because improvement of transportation infrastructure is one of his administration’s highest priorities, Gov. Beshear asked engineers at KYTC to look at roadways across the commonwealth and determine those in the greatest need for upgrades and repairs. To date, the Governor has approved nearly $42 million in discretionary funding for local road projects.
“The Transportation Cabinet’s mission is to provide an efficient and modern transportation infrastructure for Kentuckians, and that mission isn’t limited to interstates and parkways,” Gov. Beshear said. “It extends also to local streets and roads, like Hamilton Lane and Union Ridge Road, that are vitally important to the people who use them.”
The combined project areas will cover 2.6 miles – 1.04 miles of Hamilton Lane (County Road 1038) and 1.56 miles of Union Ridge Road (CR 1017). In applying for the discretionary funding, Franklin County officials said the last substantive work on either route was in 1999.
“Both of these roads are in dire need of restoration,” said Franklin County Judge/Executive Huston Wells. “These improvements will be heartily welcomed by people living and traveling in northeastern Franklin County, and we thank Gov. Beshear for the funding to make these projects possible.”
KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said the cabinet performs work or funds projects of all sizes and types. “Every road improvement project, regardless of size or scope, is important,” Secretary Gray said.
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