U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr joined local leaders in Bourbon and Scott counties in Kentucky to discuss a $10.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation the two Congressmen had secured to improve the U.S. 460 Corridor.
Bourbon County was awarded the grant through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program at the DOT. The Congressmen said they had contacted the Trump Administration to support the grant application, which Barr’s office said it helped the county write. McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, is the Trump Administration’s Secretary of Transportation.
U.S. 460 connects I-75 in Scott County with U.S. Route 27 in Bourbon County. The U.S. 460 overhaul will improve the safety and reliability of routes for Kentuckians commuting to Georgetown’s Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant or destinations along I-75.
“Major federal transportation grants are a recognition of a community’s potential. With Congressman Barr, I was proud to help deliver this award to improve safety on U.S. 460 for Kentucky’s families and businesses,” McConnell said. “An upgraded roadway will encourage continued investment and economic growth across this region. As Senate Majority Leader, I’m constantly drawing national attention to Kentucky communities and delivering the federal resources to help them prosper.”
Kentucky’s Department of Transportation spent over $11.8 million to start the project in 2015, including $9 million to complete the design and right of way. Bourbon and Scott counties will commit $1 million each toward the project. Additionally, seven local private companies have agreed to pay $84,500 for the project.
The DOT grant will widen the narrow road and widen its shoulders.
“Today marks the first step in a major overhaul project of the US 460 corridor that will strengthen commerce, tourism and improve accessibility and road safety in Central Kentucky,” Barr said. “For over three years, local leaders in Bourbon and Scott Counties have worked tirelessly to secure this grant. I proudly supported Scott and Bourbon Counties grant requests with DOT, and I will continue advocating for more resources to complete the vision for the US 460 corridor going forward.”