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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Gov. Beshear Announces Waterline Project, Opens Improved Roadway in Letcher County
JENKINS, Ky.– Gov. Steve Beshear, joined today by local officials, announced $600,000 of Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) federal funding for a waterline improvement project and participated in the ceremonial opening of the widened and improved Kentucky Highway 15X.
“The waterline system will provide crucial upgrades that will protect public health and ensure more cost-efficient and environmentally safe service for Jenkins residents,” Gov. Beshear said. “And the rebuilding of State Route 15X in Whitesburg will remedy a local traffic problem.”
Water shortages occur annually in Letcher County. To address the massive water loss problems within the city of Jenkins, the Cane and McPeaks Branch Waterline Improvement Project will replace aged, deteriorating waterlines in the Jenkins water distribution system. Installation of 190 touch read meters and other required appurtenances will also take place. Reducing the loss of treated water will preserve the supply of raw water available to the city and prevent emergency situations during moderately dry summer months.
Water loss within Jenkins has been documented at levels ranging from 45 percent to 61 percent. Most of the city’s waterlines were placed in service at the end of the 19th century and are now deteriorating, causing water leakage, inflow and infiltration problems, and potential health hazards to area water customers. The Kentucky Department of Water and professional engineers determined that the lines must be systematically replaced.
In Whitesburg, KY 15X, a spur of roadway in a busy commercial district, was widened to provide a continuous center turn lane. The project was designed to help eliminate chronic backups – and frequent crashes – resulting from vehicles having to stop in the roadway to make left turns into a large pharmacy and two groceries.
“For years, this stretch of KY 15X has been a traffic nightmare for people wanting to do business with any of these local merchants,” Gov. Beshear said. “This widening project is going to make life a lot easier for people in Whitesburg.”
The project, including design work, totaled $3.33 million. Of that, $1.78 million was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the federal stimulus.
“I am pleased that the City of Jenkins is receiving this money to make needed waterline improvements for Cane and McPeaks Branch,” said Sen. Johnny Ray Turner of Drift. “Providing clean and safe drinking water to eastern Kentucky has always been one of my top priorities, and these improvements are a step in the right direction. I am also proud to participate in the ribbon cutting marking the completion of the Highway 15 project, which is an investment in economic development in Letcher County. I am glad I was able to work with both state and local officials to help secure funding for these projects.”
“These projects could not come at a better time, and both will be a big boost to the county’s economic development and quality of life,” said Rep. Leslie Combs of Pikeville. “I’m proud I could have a hand in making both of them possible.”
“These projects could not come at a better time, and both will be a big boost to the county’s economic development and quality of life,” said Rep. Leslie Combs, of Pikeville. “I’m proud I could have a hand in making both of them possible.”
In addition to ARC funding, the project will use a grant from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, per House Bill 608, passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2010.
Established by Congress in 1965, ARC partners with federal, state and local governments in efforts to support sustainable community and economic growth throughout Appalachia. ARC funds projects ranging from education and job training to housing and business expansion, transportation and infrastructure development. Kentucky’s 54 most eastern and south-central counties qualify for ARC funding.
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