A new plan released by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and his state’s transportation officials features more than 1,350 projects they say will make roadways safer, while bringing jobs and investments into the state.
The 2026 Recommended Highway Plan delivers a 6-year outlook for transportation investments in major bi-state projects and more efficient roads and bridges across Kentucky. Beshear’s office said the plan is a data-informed six-year guide to transportation priorities. Funding for the first two years of the plan would be allocated during the 2026 session of the General Assembly.
“Good roads and bridges pave the path to a brighter future for the millions of Kentuckians and businesses who rely on safe, efficient travel to get to work, school, doctor’s appointments and more,” Beshear said. “When we put politics aside and work for Kentuckians, great things can happen. This plan blends maintenance, improvements and infrastructure across the commonwealth with smart investments that advance bi-state projects to support and attract business.”
The nearly $9.5 million plan is based on anticipated revenues through 2032 and contains $6.4 billion in federal funds, $1.4 billion in required state matching funds, $114 million in local matching funds, $625 million in state construction funding for state priority “SPP” projects and $40 million in funds from the Local Road Assistance Program. The plan also outlines funding for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project in Covington and the I-69 Ohio River Crossing project in Henderson that was previously authorized.
Focusing on five major areas – Fixing Our Roads and Bridges, High-Growth Counties, Capacity Improvements, Honoring Past Funding Commitments and Supporting Unplanned Bridge and Pavement Need, and Local Assistance Road Program – the plan contains more projects than anticipated funding can cover, but is a necessary starting point, officials said, so the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet can move forward on as many projects as possible, as quickly as possible. The plan includes nearly $600 million state and federal funding to address pavement and bridge repairs per year to maintain and repair the state’s more than 9,000 bridges and over 63,000 lane miles of pavement.
“For five consecutive years, we have awarded more than $1 billion each year in construction contracts to maintain and expand our transportation network – strengthening safety today and supporting growth for the future,” Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said.
Featured projects include the I-69 Ohio River bridge and its approaches in Henderson; replacing the U.S. 51/U.S. 60/U.S. 62 bridge over the Ohio River between Ballard County, Kentucky, and Cairo, Illinois; replacing three major I-65 bridges in downtown Louisville; and the continued widening of I-71 to the KY 393 Interchange in Oldham County among other projects.