The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) recently presented to lawmakers its 2020 Recommended Highway Plan.
The plan invests over two years $8 million in the installation of more than 100 miles of guardrail, $100 million to improve safety conditions on rural roads through the Highway Safety Improvement Program, and $367.5 million to accelerate progress on the Mountain Parkway and I-69 Ohio River Crossing projects.
There is a backlog of 3,400 miles of guardrails that need to be installed. In Kentucky, 60 percent of traffic-related deaths result from highway departures.
“Kentucky has one of the nation’s highest highway fatality rates, and these highway and guardrail investments will go a long way toward making our roads safer across the Commonwealth,” Transportation Secretary Jim Gray said.
The plan also invests $10.7 million to build new turn lanes that address traffic congestion and improve access in and out of five schools in Bullitt, Carter, Floyd, Trimble, and Warren, counties.
The Mountain Parkway project will run more than 90 miles between Interstate 64 and U.S. 23. Once completed, it will run the length of the state from Paducah to Pikeville.
The I-69 Ohio River Crossing is expected to begin construction in late 2022 and will connect Henderson, Ky. and Evansville, Ind.