SOMERSET, Ky. (LEX 18) – A new road project aimed at improving safety and traffic has been unveiled in Pulaski County.
Construction costs will be expensive, but officials say the plans could benefit all of Kentucky.
With a $25 million federal grant secured, a large stretch of Kentucky 461 in Pulaski County will look very different in just a few years.
Three miles of the road will be widened to four lanes verses just two. The intersection at Valley Oak Drive and Coin Road will be updated and another major intersection will see major work too.
The project will completely change the intersection at Highways 80 and 461. Not only will it help with congestion, it will also help with safety.
“It’s an extremely busy road. It’s a bad intersection with Kentucky 80, the main east-west highway. So this will alleviate a lot of deaths that have been occurring particularly at that intersection,” said Rep. Hal Rogers.
Congressman Hal Rogers says as a major tourist destination, the updates will benefit all Kentuckians.
US Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao says the community is deserving of the large grant it received.
“The competition was so stiff, and I want to congratulate this community on securing this $25 million build grant. It is so needed,” said Secretary Chao.
The project is slated to begin in September 2020.
Secretary Chao says she’s also started an initiative in the Department of Transportation to improve infrastructure in rural parts of the country.
