Kentucky.gov

Walton’s Mary Grubbs Highway extension dedicated

$4.8 million project improves safety, capacity

COVINGTON, Ky. — State and local officials joined in Walton today to dedicate the Mary Grubbs Highway extension, a $4.8 million project aimed at improving safety and providing better access to a key industrial area.

“This is an important project for people in northern Kentucky,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “It improves safety and expands traffic capacity. It also adds economic value for the city of Walton and surrounding areas, and that is especially important in these tough economic times.”

The extension stretched the highway a half-mile, connecting High Street and providing access to Apex, a local industrial park.

The project also replaced the bridge that carried High Street traffic over the Norfolk Southern Railroad with an underpass. 

“The complex reconfiguration of the railroad bridge required close coordination between several agencies, including the Norfolk Southern Railroad, utility companies and the Department of Highways,” said Rob Hans, chief engineer for the Transportation Cabinet’s Covington district. “By all of us working together cooperatively, we were able to complete the project in a timely manner and provide an improved transportation solution.”

“Improvements to highways that improve safety and add capacity, while creating economic opportunities are a priority. This project accomplishes all three,” said Boone County Judge-Executive Gary Moore,

“The opening of the Mary Grubbs Highway extension is of great importance to the residents of Walton,” said Walton Mayor Phil Trzop. Residents now have safer access across the railroad and have improved pedestrian access, thanks to new sidewalks installed along the extension, he said.  Trzop also noted that the extension will speed local response times for emergency responders.

Judy Construction Co., of Cynthiana, was the contractor on the project, which began in November 2007.

New Mary Grubbs Highway Extension in Walton, Kentucky

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