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Carter, Rowan county rest areas shine brightest in annual state competition

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

Offering the cleanest safe havens for road-weary motorists driving on the Commonwealth’s interstates, two I-64 facilities in northeast Kentucky received the Best Maintained Rest Area Award recently at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s 19th annual recognition ceremony.

The Carter County Eastbound I-64 Rest Area and the Rowan County Westbound I-64 Rest Area tied for the award, which is based on state inspection reports.

Honoring the employees of Community Services Project Inc., the vendor that provides custodial upkeep for the Carter and Rowan facilities, Transportation Cabinet leaders presented certificates to each staff member and Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 employees who oversee roadside operations. Adding their congratulations to the staff was Sen. Robin Webb in Carter County and Rep. Rocky Adkins in Rowan County.

“Rest areas contribute to the safety mission of the Transportation Cabinet by offering a welcoming environment for motorists and commercial drivers to stretch their legs and recharge,” said Kentucky State Highway Engineer Andy Barber. “The staff who maintain these two eastern Kentucky rest areas are doing their part to be ambassadors for the state of Kentucky by creating a favorable impression for visitors and maintaining a clean and safe facility.”

Bart Bryant, chief engineer for District 9, praised the facility staff whose dedication brought the honor back to the district for the 10th time in the award’s 19-year existence.

“We appreciate the teamwork you’ve shown among yourselves and in working with the Cabinet to make these rest areas the best they can be,” Bryant said. “And, I want to thank our staff, who have gone the extra mile in working with CSP on facility needs, especially the beautification efforts undertaken last year.”

With assistance from maintenance crews, inmate crews and others, District 9’s roadside staff enhanced the appearance of the facilities with new flowerbeds, hanging baskets and additional landscaping.

The Carter and Rowan county rest areas have been serving Kentucky interstate motorists for about 40 years, providing access to food, water, picnic and pet walk areas. The Carter County eastbound rest area opened for service in 1982, and the Rowan County westbound center opened in 1979.

This is the seventh time the Carter eastbound facility has won the rest area award and the third time the Rowan westbound facility has won.

Based on unannounced quarterly maintenance inspections performed by KYTC’s Division of Maintenance, the rest area award is presented annually to the rest area or welcome center that receives the highest combined score for the year. The Transportation Cabinet operates seven welcome centers, 16 rest areas and four truck rest havens at weigh station locations.

Community Services Project Inc. – the vendor for all the traveler facilities – is a non-profit company that employs and trains about 400 disabled workers in Kentucky, with one-third dedicated to maintaining rest areas.

(provided by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet)

Paul Hitchcock earned his Masters in Communications from Morehead State University and Bachelors in Radio-TV/Psychology from Georgetown College. A veteran broadcaster for more than 40 years and an avid fan of blues, jazz and American roots music. Hitchcock has been with WMKY since 1986 and was named General Manager in 2003. He currently hosts "Muddy Bottom Blues" (Fri., 8pm-9pm), "Nothin' But The Blues" (Sat., 8pm-12am), "Sunday Night Jazz Showcase" and "Live From The Jazz Lounge" (Sun., 8pm-9pm) and "The Golden Age of Radio" (Sun., 2pm-3pm). He also serves as producer for "A Time For Tales" and "The Reader's Notebook."
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