FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 6, 2023) – Gov. Andy Beshear today announced that he has approved requests from 18 cities and counties across Kentucky for transportation funding with which to improve local streets and roads.

The discretionary funding, which totals $1,893,569, is administered through the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC).

“These streets and roads connect hundreds of homes and businesses,” said Gov. Beshear. “The improvements that will result from this funding will make a positive difference in the lives of Kentuckians who use these roadways every day.”

For example, the City of Williamstown, in Grant County, was approved for $40,000 toward repair of Draper Road, home to about 50 residents. “The steepness of the road has caused complete washout during heavy rains,” city officials stated in their application. “The city continues to patch the road, work on the drainage, and spread gravel, but the road is simply worn out.”

Likewise, Leslie County was approved for $323,541 for badly needed resurfacing and other work on two local routes – Army Trail and Lower Bowens Creek Road. Both suffer from “slips, slides, breaks in pavement” and other deficiencies, according to the Fiscal Court’s application. “We are beginning to have a large tourism effort coming together, such as trail riding, fishing, festivals, opening of all our roadside parks, hiking trails (and) kayaking. Better roads will have a great impact.”

Other county governments approved for funding were Boyle, Bracken, Crittenden, Jessamine, Johnson, Lewis, Menifee, Monroe, Owen, Taylor and Woodford. Other cities approved for funding were Clarkson, Columbia, Middlesboro, Russell and Russell Springs.

In the first three years of his administration, Gov. Beshear has approved more than $52 million of discretionary transportation funding to local governments to assist in improving and maintaining their streets and roads and supporting their economic development.
 

Heres the list of awards announced today: