Transportation Cabinet
GOVERNOR FLETCHER & KYTC AWARD MORE THAN $700 MILLION IN HIGHWAY CONTRACTS IN 2005

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, working to fulfill Governor Fletcher’s commitment to improving the state’s highway network, awarded more than $700 million dollars worth of road contracts during calendar year 2005. Examples of projects inclusive in these contracts include new roads to improve economic opportunities, engineering safety enhancements to existing highways, bridge restorations, repaving of major highways and launching new efforts to beautify our scenic byways.

“This administration is on track to reach our goal of making our highway infrastructure reliable, and one which will increase economic possibilities for our citizens,” said Governor Fletcher. “The people of the commonwealth deserve safe and reliable highways and cost-efficient services from their transportation cabinet, and that’s what they are getting.”

The Economic Development Road Bond of $450 million authorized the cabinet to distribute $150 million for local road projects and $300 million for state road projects in 2005. In addition, many rural and county road aid projects have been implemented thanks to the Transportation Cabinet’s success in finding cost-efficient ways to manage services and partnering with local city and county governments to address emergency highway needs through longer term strategies.

“I am determined to reach the goals set-out by Governor Fletcher to make our highway system the best that it can be, said Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert. “We are working diligently in every aspect of transportation – from design to the environment and to the actual construction – to ensure tax dollars are utilized efficiently and that the projects we undertake further our mission.”

More projects were awarded in 2005 than at any time since 2002. In fact, June 2005 was one of the highest contract lettings ever, coming in at $190 million.

Widening Turfway Road from U.S. 25 to KY 717 was one of the major projects from June’s letting. Some of the other important projects in 2005 include: 

• Asphalt Resurfacing/Rehab with installing a guardrail in Jefferson County on Louisville-Cincinnati Road(I-71) over 17 miles: $9.8 million
• Widened with grade and Drain on US 62 from I-64 to Georgetown By-Pass in Scott County: $10.8 million
• Pavement repairs and diamond grinding on I-24 in Christian County on I-24 from Trigg County Line to KY 695 underpass and from US 68 to Christian County line in Trigg County over 10 miles: $5 million
• Installing Grade  and Drain with incidental asphalt resurfacing in Pike County on US 460: $25 million
• Asphalt Interstate rehab in Rowan County on I-64: $12.4 million
• Widened Tennessee State line Elizabethtown Road on I-65 in Warren County: $31.4 million
• Asphalt Rehab with grade and drain on I-64 from west of KY 1 Underpass to west of Boyd County line in Carter County: $24.4 million

 “The improvement of I-65 through south central Kentucky is extremely for both safety and economic reasons,” said Sen. Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green). “I-65 is the stream of commerce through Kentucky, and areas of the road that have recently been improved have decreased the number of accidents, changing it from being known as Death Valley to being known as a safe road.”

“I appreciate the input of the Governor and the Transportation Cabinet’s, and their awareness of how critical it is for this work to be done on our road systems in Kentucky,” said Rep. Hubert Collins (D-Wittensville). “I appreciate their dedication to continuing to improve our roads, maintain our roads and continue working on the safety of our roads – anything we can do to enhance the safety of our driving public.”

Projects planned for 2006 will also be important and beneficial to everyone who travels our roads.

“This year’s strong transportation program will help the Department of Highways to provide a safe and reliable transportation system for motorists throughout the commonwealth,” said Commissioner of Highways Marc Williams.

NOTE:  A complete listing of projects awarded for 2005 is available online at http://transportation.ky.gov/Contract/Awards/.

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