Several highway projects for the Buffalo Trace Region are included in the proposed 2014-2016 Biennial Highway Plan making its way through the Kentucky General Assembly.
Although it has not been finalized, the plan outlined in House Bill 237 was passed by the House of Representatives Tuesday. It now goes before the Senate for review and discussion. As with most pieces of legislation, the bill is expected to undergo changes before it receives final approval from both houses.
The proposed plan includes reconstruction of several major roadways or intersections; bridge replacements; and widening of Kentucky 9 (AA Highway) in the Buffalo Trace Region.
In Bracken County, reconstruction of Kentucky 1159 from Brooksville to Kentucky 9 has been designated a state high priority project, with funding allocated in 2014 for $4.4 million and 2016 for $22 million.
Other projects are: spot improvements on Kentucky 10 from Brooksville to Powersville in the amount of $1.8 million in 2014 and $6 million in 2015; replace a bridge on Kentucky 8 over Snag Creek one mile west of the junction with Kentucky 1109 in the amount of $225,000 in 2014; replace bridge and approaches on Long Stretch Road over Turtle Creek north of Kentucky 8 in the amount of $30,000 in 2014 and $175,000 in 2015; and $190,000 in 2015 and 2016 for the operation of the Augusta Ferry.
In Fleming County, reconstruction of Kentucky 32 from the Kentucky 165 intersection at Jabetown to Elizaville has been given state high priority project status. The project has been allocated $4.1 million in 2014. A second high priority project is the bridge replacement over Johnson Creek on Kentucky 560 south of the Fleming County and Mason County line in the amount of $400,000 in 2015 and $1.2 million in 2016.
Other projects are: addition of turning lanes on Kentucky 32 at the E.P. Ward Elementary School for $1.9 million in 2014; restoration of Ringo’s Mill Covered Bridge on Kentucky 158 in the amount of $508,000 in 2014; surface Industrial Park Road on Kentucky 11 in the amount of $520,000 in 2014; reconstruct Kentucky 57 from Fleming County Courthouse to Sleepy Run Creek for $300,000 in 2014; extend Mount Tabor Road to Old U.S. 68 to create an impoundment of Elk Creek, $840,000 in 2015 and $4.3 million in 2016; replace the bridge on Kentucky 32 over Mud Lick Creek west of Craintown Road with $400,000 allocated in 2015 and 2016; and correct geometric and width deficiencies beginning at Sleepy Run Bridge extending south to Lewis County line to improve operational efficiency, sight distance restrictions and overall flow in the amount of $2 million in 2016.
Lewis County has four state high priority projects including: construction of a new bridge crossing the North Fork of the Licking River at the Lewis County and Fleming County line in the amount of $1 million in 2014 and $5.2 million in 2015; reconstruction of the intersection of Kentucky 9 and Kentucky 2523 in the amount of $160,000 in 2014, $325,000 in 2015 and $1 million in 2016; design study for upgrades to Kentucky 59, Kentucky 344, and Kentucky 377 between Vanceburg and Morehead for $1 million in 2015; and reconstruction of intersection at Kentucky 10 and Kentucky 1306 for $500,000 in 2015.
Other projects include: bridge replacement over Kinniconnick Creek west of Dudley Avenue totaling $300,000 in 2015 and $3 million in 2016; bridge replacement on Browns Run Road over Cabin Creek in the amount of $70,000 in 2014 and $400,000 in 2015; Lewis-Greenup Connector Road connecting Kentucky 8 to Kentucky 10 at Scaffold Lick Road, $2 million in 2014; reconstruct Kentucky 57 from Kentucky 9 to Fleming County and Lewis County line, $2.1 million in 2015 and $5.2 million in 2016.
In Mason County the widening of Kentucky 9 and reconstruction of Kentucky 1448, Maple Leaf Road are state high priority projects.
The widening of Kentucky 9 to four lanes from the bypass at Clyde T. Barbour Parkway west to Kentucky 10, Fernleaf-Germantown Road, has been funded $29.2 million in 2014.
Reconstruction of Maple Leaf Road from U.S. 68 to Kentucky 9 has been funded $8.4 million in 2014.
A new bridge on Flat Fork Road south of Kentucky 161 received $35,000 for 2015; and two fully controlled access routes, one from U.S. 68 near Washington east to Kentucky 11 and the second from Kentucky 11 to Kentucky 9 have received a total of $156,000 in 2014 and $6.8 million for 2015.
Robertson County has two state high priority projects related to Kentucky 616. The first is reconstruction of U.S. 62 and Kentucky 616 intersection at the Robertson County School to add turn lanes and improve sight distance. The project has been earmarked for $1.1 million in 2014.
Improvement of a curve on Kentucky 616 and improvement of roadway from the school into Mount Olivet was funded $350,000 in 2014 and $5 million in 2015.
Other projects include: reconstruct the curve on Kentucky 165 from mile point 7.0 to mile point 7.2 in the amount of $200,000 in 2014, $50,000 in 2015,; and $1.5 million in 2016; and improve safety beginning at Orchard Avenue to the intersection of Kentucky 165 in the amount of $1.2 million in 2015 and $750,000 in 2016.
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