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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Governor Beshear joins in opening new KY 30 in Jackson County
Celebrates ‘safer, straighter, more modern road’
ANNVILLE, Ky.– Gov. Steve Beshear today ceremonially opened a section of a new and much-improved KY 30 in Jackson County.
“Modern transportation – both for commerce and public safety – requires safe, modern highways,” Gov. Beshear said. “Eastern Kentucky has more than its share of narrow, winding roads that stifle economic development and too often prove treacherous for travelers.
“Any time a safer, straighter, more modern road opens up, it is cause to celebrate. That’s why I am pleased to join you today as a new stretch of KY 30 is ceremonially opened up for the people of Jackson County,” Gov. Beshear said.
KY 30 is being relocated as part of a larger, long-range effort to build a new road from Interstate 75 at London to the Mountain Parkway in Wolfe County. The Governor ceremonially opened a 6.8-mile section – the second of three sections that in the near term will result in a new road from London to Tyner.
“This road will dramatically help Jackson County establish business and industry with a more direct access to I-75,” said Sen. Tom Jensen, of London.
State Rep. Marie Rader, who represents, Jackson, Owsley and Laurel counties, said the new section of roadway “represents a tremendous improvement over the old road.”
“Getting this major route and the traffic that goes with it away from the river, curves and poor elevations inherent to the old road is a major step up in safety and efficiency,” Rep. Rader said.
The first section of the new KY 30 stretches from its western terminus at the Hal Rogers Parkway to the Green Mount community in northeastern Laurel County. The new section, at its eastern end, intersects the access road to the Jackson County Regional Industrial Park, where the ceremony today was held.
The new road was designed by Vaughn & Melton, of Middlesboro. The construction contract was for $17.1 million to Elmo Greer & Sons, of London. Construction began in December 2007.
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