FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 3, 2026) -Gov. Andy Beshear today announced more than $18.8 million in grant funding for 18 transportation projects across the commonwealth that will improve safety and accessibility for Kentuckians. From walking to biking, wheelchairs and more, Team Kentucky is committed to making our commonwealth more accessible for everyone.
“Transportation isn’t just about the work we are doing to improve roads and bridges across our state; it’s about creating communities that support every Kentuckian and their needs,” said Gov. Beshear. “These projects will help give peace of mind to parents knowing their kids can walk safely to school, while improving access to local businesses and more.”
The funding is from the federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), which reimburses local governments for 80% of the costs of non-motorized transportation projects that focus on bicycle and pedestrian pathways, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act, the Safe Routes to School program, and safety enhancements for vulnerable roadway users.
Today’s most recent round of funding includes 18 projects in the cities of Auburn, Beattyville, Benton, Brooksville, Columbia, Elkton, Hodgenville, Jackson, Jenkins, Lexington, Morgantown, Mortons Gap, New Haven, Paintsville and Prestonsburg, and in Bath, Kenton and Robertson counties.
Project funding ranges from $4.7 million for the construction of phases four and five of the Town Branch Trail project in Lexington to $80,000 each for pedestrian improvements in Hodgenville and Main Street sidewalk design in New Haven.
The city of Columbia, in south-central Kentucky, was awarded nearly $1.4 million for a sidewalk improvement and expansion project as part of the Safe Routes to School program. That project will create a safe, continuous and accessible pedestrian route from downtown to the Adair County school complex, where nearly 200 students regularly walk to class.
“We are so excited to be a recipient of a TAP grant,” said Columbia Mayor Pam Hoots. “This will bring sidewalk connectivity to our school complex. Thank you for caring about Columbia and Adair County.
The city of Prestonsburg, in Eastern Kentucky, will use its $976,000 funding award to construct a pedestrian and bicycle bridge to safely connect the city’s Passage Rail Trail to the Middle Creek National Battlefield, creating a safe link between the city, the battlefield and the community of David. This project will eliminate a key gap in the trail network, improve safety and expand access to a nationally significant Civil War site.
“The Middle Creek Battlefield linkage project is a great service to the city,” said Prestonsburg Mayor Rick Hughes. “It is linking three entities: Archer Park, the Passage Trail, and the historic battlefield area. So, this helps not only our local residents, but all of our visitors, especially when reenactments are going on.”
