For the first time in its history, all segments of the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway expansion are either under construction or completed. Just recently, ground was broken on the final 13-mile segment of the project aimed at creating a four-lane highway from Salyersville to Prestonsburg.
Governor Andy Beshear said the massive undertaking is being completed by Bizzack Construction, a Lexington based company. Bizzack primarily hires local construction and road workers.
“So, this important project for Eastern Kentucky – one of the first four lane highways through the heart of Appalachia – is being built by the residents of those very mountains,” said Beshear.
Beshear said officials from Magoffin and Floyd counties are already expecting more business in the area. Many companies and small businesses based out of Appalachia are expected to be able to operate on a much larger scale because of the new road.
“We had the county judge of Magoffin and Floyd both talking about how they are already receiving more calls from businesses than they ever have because they can tell them they have a four-lane highway that can move the goods they make anywhere in America,” he said.
The project will construct an entirely new route, meaning the current road from Prestonsburg to Salyersville will remain open during construction. However, this does leave many questions about the fate of the many businesses that operate on the current 13-mile stretch of road, which will be bypassed when the project is complete.