Gov. Andy Beshear, state and local officials gathered in Prestonsburg this week for the announcement of the preferred route for extending the Mountain Parkway in eastern Kentucky. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is developing plans to build 13 additional miles of parkway in Magoffin and Floyd counties along a new cross-country route.
“We are committed to seeing the Mountain Parkway completed,” KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said. “Once finished, the Mountain Parkway will be a safer, 90-mile corridor to prosperity from Winchester to Prestonsburg.”
An option for widening the existing Kentucky Highway 114 to four lanes was also evaluated. Building an all-new roadway for the parkway will have fewer impacts to homes and businesses.
“This expansion is going to help our businesses and people by creating a safer, more efficient corridor for Magoffin County,” said Magoffin County Judge/Executive Matt Wireman. “This is good news for our region, and we are thankful for the prioritization of this project.”
Dawkins Line Rail Trail
Gov. Beshear also announced $4.1 million in funding to pave 24 miles and make other improvements to the Dawkins Line Rail Trail, a former railway that is now a trail for hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders.
“We want to thank Gov. Beshear, Transportation Secretary Jim Gray and other state officials for their continued commitment to recreation and economic development in East Kentucky by announcing the paving of the Dawkins Trail,” said Johnson County Judge/Executive Mark McKenzie. “The paving of this 36-mile multiuse rail-to-trail will serve both residents and visitors to our region. We look forward to seeing the opportunities this project creates for development of tourism-related small businesses and other health and wellness benefits as a result of this significant investment.”
Read more from the Governor’s Office press release.
