Advertisement

Beshear Brings Funds for Street, Park Improvements

Beshear Brings Funds for Street, Park Improvements
Advertisement
By West Kentucky Star Staff
Oct. 29, 2014 | KUTTAWA, KY; PADUCAH, KY
By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 29, 2014 | 04:48 PM | KUTTAWA, KY; PADUCAH, KY
Governor Steve Beshear came to western Kentucky Wednesday to announce one project and deliver funding to another.

Beshear was in Lyon County about 2:00 pm to spotlight two projects that will bring lasting benefits to the Lake Barkley region – a multi-use bike or pedestrian trail along the lake front and a new amphitheater on the northern shore.  

“Lyon County and the entire Lake Barkley region comprise one of Kentucky’s jewels,” Gov. Beshear said. “The funding we’re presenting today will further enhance an already excellent quality of life.”

The governor presented a ceremonial check for $322,300, part of the federal Transportation Alternatives Program for continued development of a multi-use trail system and a scenic lookout adjacent to Lake Barkley. The trail is a three-phase project, compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which will connect three sections of Kuttawa. The project has been years in the making, with the city completing phase 1 in 2004, and set to begin construction on Phase 2. The TAP funding from Beshear's trip is for the third and final phase.

“Kuttawa is setting an example for other small communities looking for ways to encourage walking and biking as a healthy, enjoyable alternative to vehicle travel,” Gov. Beshear said. “This trail will help tie together the community, giving local residents a safe means of pedestrian and bicycle access.”

Later in the day, Beshear announced a project in Paducah that will accomplish two important goals – the badly needed rehabilitation of a mile of Kentucky Avenue, coupled with the relocation of water, sewer and gas lines that run at a shallow depth beneath the street. Beshear said the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is aiming offer the project for bids in January.

  “Our engineers in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet saw this as an opportunity to accomplish two goals with one project and have worked closely with the city and the utility companies to carry it out,” Beshear said. “The end result will be a much-improved, mile-long section of Kentucky Avenue whose needs go far beyond what the public is able to see on the surface.”

The project area is between Kentucky Avenue’s intersections with Otis Dinning Drive and Walter Jetton Boulevard. The plan is to remove the old asphalt and replace it with full-depth concrete pavement. Curbs and gutters will be reconstructed to improve drainage, and utility lines for Paducah Water, Paducah-McCracken Joint Sewer Agency and Atmos Energy Co. will be moved.

“Kentucky Avenue is a main state road that takes people in and out of downtown Paducah.  Improvements to the pavement, curbs, gutters, and drainage are important to the citizens who travel it daily,” said Paducah Mayor Gayle Kaler.  “I’m proud of the partnership the City of Paducah has with the state in working to keep Paducah’s roads safe. 

The state’s improvements to Kentucky Avenue coupled with the work underway by the city to rehabilitate a segment of Broadway will provide much need enhancements to Paducah’s infrastructure.” 

On the Net:

Previous article
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement


Latest Western Kentucky
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Western Kentucky

Advertisement
ADVERTISEMENT