County To Receive More Than $94K From State For Paving Of Two Roads

Darren Doyle, story:
Edmonson County will see a major road upgrade in two subdivisions thanks to more than $94,000 from Governor Matt Bevin's Discretionary Funds.

Carnes Road, located in the Richland Subdivision off of KY HWY 743 (New Grove Road) and Dalton Way, a loop in Chalybeate Country Estates near Beaver Dam Chapel Road, will undergo resurfacing thanks to an approved application from District 2 Magistrate Joe Durbin and Judge Executive Wil Cannon.

Transportation Cabinet officials review applications and then decide whether or not they advance on to the Governor's Office for final approval. Governor Bevin's office approved $94,350 for the two roads, which are in need of repair.

​​“Keeping Kentuckians safe is our first priority,” said KYTC Secretary Greg Thomas. “The Bevin administration has shown a commitment to investing in infrastructure, and this resurfacing work ensures a reliable transportation system in Edmonson County for years to come. The Cabinet is pleased to partner with local officials on these two projects.”

Several construction projects have taken a toll on Carnes Road, with several places where the road is gravel and others where trucks have broken through the blacktop. While the damage on Dalton Way is not that severe, county funding for maintenance of the pavement has been scarce over the past 12 years.

"Both of these roads were in serious need of attention," said Magistrate Durbin. "We owe a big thanks to Governor Bevin's office for these funds."

Durbin said his normal budget for roads in his entire district is somewhere around $55-$60K. With that money, plans to pave a section of Beaver Dam Church Road from HWY 101 down to Willie Rhea Road were the only ones for resurfacing. 

"This is the first time we've requested these funds from the state during Judge Cannon's administration," Durbin said. "I'm not sure if this was ever an option before, but to my knowledge, this is the first time we've gone this route. The county has never pursued it. We asked for it with the hopes it would work out and it did."

Edmonson County fiscal court approved the resolution to accept the funds in today's meeting; however it's possible that the project will be delayed on Carnes Road until other construction projects in the subdivision are complete. No timetable was confirmed for Dalton Way.