Department of Highways, District 6
Dry Ridge Connector Road is Officially Open

RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR THE OPENING OF EAST DRY RIDGE CONNECTOR ROAD IN GRANT COUNTY

Covington, Kentucky- (June 30, 2005)- A handful of dignitaries and many people from the Dry Ridge Community and Grant County were present to formally dedicate the new East Dry Ridge Connector Road with a ribbon cutting ceremony today at the entrance off of KY 22. Speaking at the ceremony were 17th District State Senator Damon Thayer, 61^st District State Representative Royce Adams, Grant County Judge Executive Darrell Link and Mayor of Dry Ridge Bill Cull.

Tom Schomaker, Chief District Engineer for District 6 said, “This new road will increase safety by eliminating an at grade railroad crossing. It will improve traffic flow and ease congestion.”  State Representative of the 61^st District, Royce Adams followed by saying that “the new road will provide new opportunities for economic development to the area. It will provide a better access to available sites for industry as well as improved access for the school traffic.”

The new 2.2-mile section of US 25 begins at KY 22 (Skeeter Davis Highway) and connects to the existing US 25.  There were actually two phases of this new roadway.  The first phase began in September of 2002 at a cost of 9.1 million.  This section of roadway begins at the new intersection of KY 22 (Skeeter Davis Highway) and the new US 25 and goes to KY 467.  Improvements on this phase include creating a new Warsaw Road and US 25 approaches, a bridge crossing over US 25 Business and the railroad track, and a new entrance to the Dana Corporation.

The second phase begins at KY 467 and continues south to the Hogan’s Mill sub-division.  This section of roadway cost 2.1 million and construction began in March 2003. Improvements to this section include the realignment of Arnie Rison Road/School Road and the new rail road crossing at Stewart Road. 

The major part of the road was opened today after the ribbon cutting ceremony.  The Business Boulevard by Dana Corporation and tying in US 25 Business with Arnie Risen/School Road are sections that remain under construction and should be completed by mid-summer. 

Rifle Coal Company, LLC from West Liberty, Kentucky and Judy Construction were the primary contractors that performed the work on the first phase of the project. Rifle Coal Company was the primary contractor for the second phase of the roadway project.  In addition there were eight subcontractors that helped make the East Dry Ridge Connector Road complete with jobs such as drains, guardrails, signals and striping to name a few. Williamstown Resident Engineer’s Office supervised the project and Scott Pennington was the Project Manager.

 Pictured left to right:  Tom Schomaker, Chief District Engineer, Darrell Link, Grant County Judge Executive, Senator Damon Thayer, Representative Royce Adams and Bill Cull, Mayor of Dry Ridge.

Alexandra Young sang the National Anthem. 

She will be entering 6th grade this fall at Grant County Middle School.

Pictured above is part of the new Dry Ridge Connector Road

located in Grant County Kentucky.