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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Governor Beshear breaks ground on $5.1 million extension of Blankenbaker Parkway
Route will provide direct access to Bluegrass Commerce Park
 LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Gov. Steve Beshear, joined by local officials, today broke ground for construction of the Blankenbaker Parkway extension, a $5.1 million project being funded through the job-creating American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“In addition to the jobs and payroll this project will generate, the extension of Blankenbaker Parkway will provide an important access route to the industry at Bluegrass Commerce Park,” Gov. Beshear said. “This will make this area of Jefferson County even more attractive for future development.”
"This Recovery Act investment will serve our community now and for years to come,” said Congressman John Yarmuth. “This project will not only create Louisville jobs right away, it will further develop our city's infrastructure to ensure our businesses and industries can continue to expand."
The new section of roadway – four lanes with grass median – will extend the parkway by six-tenths of a mile, from Chenoweth Run Road to Taylorsville Road. It will create a direct access from Taylorsville Road to Bluegrass Industrial Parkway and better access to the industrial area from Interstate 265.
“This is an important investment in progress that will make it easier for our citizens to get where they need to go,” Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson said. “We appreciate the leadership of Governor Beshear and the Kentucky General Assembly to make it happen.”
Acting Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said the project also will give motorists a safer alternative to narrow, curving, two-lane Chenoweth Run Road. “The Taylorsville Road area has experienced a lot of development in the last decade,” Hancock said. “This project will help improve connectivity for southeastern Jefferson County.”
The roadway will be constructed to the east of Chenoweth Run Road and will run between Deer Creek Patio Homes and Landherr Estates. Sound barriers will be installed along these residences. Sidewalks will also be built on both sides of the roadway. A traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of Blankenbaker Parkway and Taylorsville Road.
“We are pleased to see construction starting and thank Governor Beshear for moving this project forward,” said Clay Foreman, Mayor of Jeffersontown. “This new route will help alleviate congestion in the area and provide a better commute for residents working at the industrial park.”
Flynn Brothers Contracting Inc., of Louisville, was awarded the contract for the project. Construction is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2011.
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