Clinton County will receive $44,897,000 in funding for road and infrastructure projects.

The announcement came on the final day of a legislative session that resulted in a state spending plan that makes significant investments in upgrading and replacing the state’s outdated infrastructure, including transportation, water and wastewater, and broadband.

Kentucky House of Representative member Josh Branscum (R-Russell Springs), who represents Clinton County along with Russell County and Wayne County, made the announcement to the Clinton County News in a press release last week.

“Every dollar we spend on roads and infrastructure is an investment in our district,” Branscum said. “With Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake in our backyards, it’s exciting news for our community to see this funding going towards US-127. The expansion will increase tourism, economic development and provide unlimited opportunities in our area.”

The funding is part of HB 242, which provides more than $2.9 billion for the maintenance and construction of state roads over the next two years. The measure also includes $370 million for the rehabilitation and construction of bridges and sets aside $250 million to match federal dollars for mega projects in Northern, Eastern, and Western Kentucky.

According to Branscum’s press release, and information obtained from the 2022-2024 Kentucky Biennial Highway Construction plan, the Clinton County allocation is earmarked for the following projects:

• $15,000 in FY22 to install a guardrail on KY-553 in Clinton County.

• $27,200,000 in FY22 for the relocation of US-127 from north of the KY-3063. This project, which is slated for the construction phase in fiscal year 2022, would extend northerly to east of Ky. 1730 and the Manntown intersection.

• $3,100,000 in FY22 for the relocation of US-127 from the Aaron Ridge Road and old US-127 intersection, extending north of the KY-3063 and old US-127 intersection.

According to the road plan, this project would see right of way acquisition and utility work in fiscal year 2022.

• $1,782,000 in FY23-FY24 for a bridge project in Clinton County on KY-1576 at Spring Creek.

The road plan shows this bridge project slated to enter the design stage during fiscal year 2023 with construction to begin during fiscal year 2024.

Additionally, HB 490 allocates Clinton County $4,800,000 in FY23 and $8,000,000 in FY25 for the relocation of US-127 from KY-90 intersection to Aaron Ridge Road.

“Roads are so important to our state as almost half of our population lives in rural areas,” Branscum added. “They open up opportunities for economic development and education, bringing the world to our front door.”

In addition to HB 242, lawmakers also crafted a two-year budget for Kentucky’s Transportation Cabinet.

That bill, HB 241, includes funding for programs like an additional $4 million to increase access to driver’s license and permit testing and $11.4 million to be divided among the state’s 54 general aviation airports.

“This road plan and cabinet budget provide a very organized, methodical approach that both meets today’s needs and lays the groundwork for tomorrow. We only have one chance to spend each dollar and we owe it to the taxpayers of Kentucky to get it right,” House Speaker David Osborne added. “I commend House Transportation Budget Chair Sal Santoro and Representative Branscum for their commitment to prioritizing critical projects and identifying how we can make the most of the resources available to us.”

Lawmakers adjourned the 2022 Regular Session before midnight, Thursday, April 14. For further information about this legislation or any other actions taken by the Kentucky General Assembly, visit legislature.ky.gov.