Kentucky to invest $23M on highway safety near schools

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The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently selected nearly 70 safety improvement projects in 44 counties statewide to receive $23 million in funding through the 2020 Highway Plan.

The projects, which seek to increase highway safety near public schools, will receive funding over the next two years for design and/or construction. Projects include new turn lanes, new entrances, pedestrian crosswalk beacons, pavement markings, upgrades to existing school flashing lights, and roadside signs encouraging distraction-free driving.

“These projects merge two key areas I’ve been committed to investing in since day one as governor: education and infrastructure,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “Once completed, these projects will ensure safe access to and around our schools, as well as improve quality of life for the thousands of Kentucky families that drop off and pick up children every day.”

Projects include:

Pride Elementary in Hopkins County will receive funding to design new turn lanes that will improve afternoon traffic flow in and out of the school. In addition, sidewalks will be replaced and crosswalks restriped.

Bardstown City Schools in Nelson County will receive more than $500,000 to construct new sidewalks safely connecting Bardstown Primary School with a new elementary school across the street.

This month, the state also announced $5 million in discretionary funds to repair and build roads statewide.