Portion of Pennyrile Parkway could become I-169

Gov. Andy Beshear ceremonially broke ground Aug. 3rd on a project to achieve a long-held goal for the economic development of Western Kentucky – another interstate route designation – by bringing a portion of the Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway up to interstate highway standards.

Work will begin this month on a package of improvements to the 34-mile section of the parkway between Interstate Highways 24 and 69 in Christian and Hopkins counties. Upon completion expected in November 2024, the Federal Highway Administration then could add the roadway to the Interstate Highway System as Interstate Highway 169.

The conversion of the Breathitt/Pennyrile Parkway to an interstate long has been a priority for local government and economic development officials, and the parkway already bears "Future I-169" shield signs. The final designation of I-169, connecting with existing Interstates 24 and 69, would give the region an interstate corridor from the Kentucky-Tennessee border to the Ohio River.