Department of Highways, District 6
Governor Fletcher & Transportation Cabinet Award $16,514,636.60 in Highway Contracts in Kenton County

Covington, Kentucky – (July 11, 2005) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is working to upgrade the highway network in Kenton County.  Five contracts, totaling $16,514,636.60, have been approved by the cabinet.

“These projects reflect my administration’s commitment to ensuring that drivers in Kenton County are able to get to their work, schools or other destinations with confidence that our state’s roads are in the best condition possible,” said Governor Ernie Fletcher.

One project is widening Covington-Independence Road (KY 17) to five lanes from existing five lane sections at Pelly Road to just south of Apple Drive.    Judy Construction Company of Cynthiana, Kentucky was awarded the low bid contract of $15,239,498.60.

The second project is the resurfacing of Dixie Highway (US 25) from I-275 extending north to Carran Drive for a distance of .35 miles and from Dixie Highway (US 25) from I-75 overpass extending north to KY 1072 for a distance of 1.25 miles.  Eaton Asphalt Paving Co., Inc. of Covington, Kentucky was awarded the low bid contract of $257,550.00.  Thermoplastic Pavement Intersection Markings will also be installed.

The third project is the resurfacing of Richardson Road (KY 1829) from KY 1303 (Turkeyfoot Road) extending east to Old Richardson Road for a distance of 3.11 miles.  Bluegrass Paving, Inc., of Florence, Kentucky was awarded the low bid contract of $135,744.00.  Thermoplastic Pavement Intersection Markings will also be installed.

The fourth project is the resurfacing sections of 4th, 5th and Garrard Streets in Covington, KY 8 east and west bound.  Eaton Asphalt Paving, Co., Inc., of Covington was awarded the low bid contract of $213,532.00.  Thermoplastic Pavement Intersection Markings will also be installed.

The fifth project is the resurfacing of Madison Pike (KY 17) from the Pendleton County line extending north to KY 2046 (Paxton Road) for a distance of 2.43 miles, Madison Pike (KY 17) from .47 miles north of KY 1501 (Hands Pike) extending north to near Dudley Road for a distance of 2.23 miles and from Dixie Highway (US 25) from the Grant County Line extending north to KY 14 for a distance of 2 miles.  Eaton Asphalt Paving, Co., Inc. was awarded the low bid contract of $ 668,312.00.

The contracts awarded to Kenton County are contained in one of the largest lettings ever in the transportation cabinet.  Kenton County is one of 11 counties in District Six. Approximately $53,200,076.61 has been awarded for projects in District Six. Statewide, more than $167 million worth of projects have been authorized.

“These new projects will help to repair and upgrade our aging highway infrastructure and provide safer roads that will further economic development and enhance safe travel for Kentuckians,” said acting Secretary Bill Nighbert.

Locally, the KY 17 widening project is expected to begin in the near future and is expected to take two construction seasons to complete.  The asphalt resurfacing projects will be completed by fall of 2005.  Construction activities are scheduled on a tentative basis and are subject to change depending on weather conditions.