Highway crews overcome power, communications outages

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews in eastern Kentucky have restored traffic on nearly all routes that were blocked by downed trees and power lines as a result of heavy snow.

It has been a daunting task, particularly in the eight counties of the Department of Highways’ hard-hit Manchester District, where two-thirds of state-maintained routes were partially or completely blocked by fallen trees on Saturday.

All roads in the district are open for travel today, though three routes – KY 225 in Bell County and KY 987 and KY 510 in Harlan County – remain partially blocked. Crews are clearing downed trees from those routes today.

“Our crews have fought through one obstacle after another,” Acting Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said. “The heavy snow we received was a challenge in itself. But on top of that, our maintenance crews in many areas have had to work without electrical power. And in Harlan County, all radio and cell phone communication was knocked out as well.”

It was much the same in the adjoining Pikeville District, where trees and utility poles began snapping under the weight of snow Friday evening. Highway crews had to work in tandem with utility crews to clear trees entangled in electrical lines. Widespread electrical and cellular outages hampered operations and communications.

Hancock on Monday signed an official order to expedite recovery in the stricken area. The order waived special registration and permit requirements for utility trucks and transporters of storm debris and relief supplies.

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