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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Gov. Beshear marks milestone in I-64 widening project
Opens new bridge to carry US 60 traffic over widened Interstate
WINCHESTER, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear today marked a milestone in the project to complete the widening of Interstate 64 from Lexington to the Mountain Parkway in Clark County.
The Governor, joined by legislators and local officials in Clark County, presided at the ceremonial opening of a new bridge that will carry US 60 – the Mount Sterling Road – over the widened Interstate, just west of the Mountain Parkway interchange.
The I-64 widening includes the addition of a second lane for traffic exiting onto the Mountain Parkway, which required a longer US 60 bridge overpass.
“Today we celebrate a milestone in a very important project – the widening of another section of Interstate 64,” Gov. Beshear said. “When it’s completed, I-64 will be six lanes all the way from Lexington to the Mountain Parkway. This is a $32.8 million investment in our highway system, and it’s an investment I do not hesitate to make.”
The widening project is scheduled to be completed in July 2011. Gov. Beshear noted that demolition of the old US 60 bridge and construction of the new took just two months. “I want to compliment the entire project team for getting this important part of the job completed so quickly,” he said.
I-64 now carries about 46,000 vehicles per day in the project area. Traffic volume is projected to increase to 85,000 vehicles per day by 2031.
“The widening of Interstate 64 is a very significant project that will have a positive impact on safety and commerce for many years,” said state Sen. R.J. Palmer II, of Winchester. “The opening of this bridge also is vital to future economic development for the region. These projects are positive investments in our infrastructure from which we will see rewards well into the future.”
“This is great news for our community,” said Rep. Don Pasley, of Winchester. “As Clark County continues to grow, its infrastructure has to follow suit, and this project is certainly a step in the right direction. It definitely will help us improve our economic development.”
New highway signs for BCTC Winchester-Clark County Campus
Also today, Gov. Beshear presented one of four new highway signs that will direct I-64 traffic to the vital and growing Winchester-Clark County campus of Bluegrass Community & Technical College (BCTC).
“This campus has become a very important part of this community,” Gov. Beshear said. “Folks in this community already know that. The 913 students currently enrolled here already know that. But a sign on the Interstate tells everyone traveling this way that there’s something important here in Winchester and Clark County.”
Dr. Augusta A. Julian, president and CEO of BCTC, said everyone associated with the Winchester-Clark County campus takes pride in its important role.
“We at BCTC are excited that the campus has grown so quickly and continues to be a key partner in this great community,” Dr. Julian said. “We appreciate the support of the Governor’s Office and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to help people find their way to higher education in Winchester-Clark County.”
“The BCTC campus is an invaluable asset to our community,” Sen. Palmer said. “I am grateful to the Transportation Cabinet for providing new signs to direct traffic to the campus from I-64.”
Rep. Pasley said the campus “is the most significant long-term improvement we’ve made in our community in a generation. It has been an irreplaceable asset since it opened its doors, but it is playing an even bigger role now because of the economy. I’m proud that we can make many more people aware of what we have to offer.”
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