From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet:

Clark County I-64 Rest Area Again Judged ‘Best Maintained’ in Kentucky

Staff praised for providing clean, safe haven to motorists

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 15, 2023) – Kentucky’s “best maintained” rest area for 2023 can be found on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 64 in Clark County, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) announced today.

“The interstate highway system was planned with rest areas along the way as a convenience. Now, they’re a necessity,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray, whose agency annually presents the Best Maintained Rest Area Award. “It sends a message about our state when we can offer visitors a clean, safe facility in which everything is in working order.”

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A new northeastern bypass around Winchester has brought about a call of caution from the city’s newspaper. The Winchester Sun has reminded its readers to pay attention to new traffic control devices installed on routes that cross the new bypass: Winchester Sun: New bypass will demand caution (July 7, 2005) , Winchester Sun: New northeast bypass opens (July 23, 2005) , Winchester Sun: 3 hurt in mishap on new bypass (July 25, 2005) 

Work has begun on a project to widen two miles of I-64 in Clark County. In addition to widening the interstate the two-year project will reconstruct several adjacent roads including parts of KY 1958 and Van Meter Road: Lexington Herald-Leader: I-64 Being Widened in Clark County (Nov. 17, 2004) 

Property acquisition for the reconstruction of the I-64/KY 1958 interchange in Winchester is likely to begin soon: Winchester Sun: Work on I-64 facing delays (June 7, 2004) 

Heavy rains in June washed out several roads in far eastern Kentucky. Damage was so severe the Transportation Cabinet Highway District 12 was forces to halt all routine highway maintenance and refocus on emergency road repairs. Preliminary estimates are that repairs will cost $6 million.

The rain and floods also damaged roads in Clark County.

Additionally, the rains are believed to have contributed to the partial collapse of KY 292, the Huntley-Brinkley Road, along the Tug Fork in Pike County. The road was constructed by local residents nearly 40 years ago. After the area was featured on the NBC evening news with Chet Huntley and David Brinkley, television viewers nationwide sent donations to aid in the construction of the road. Local residents believe heavy coal trucks contributed to the collapse of the road.

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Highway District 12: District 12 surveys flood damage with FEMA reps (June 6, 2004) , Winchester Sun: Clark County included in request for disaster relief (June 8, 2004) , Lexington Herald-Leader: It's good night to section of Huntley-Brinkley Road (June 15, 2004) , Lexington Herald-Leader: Cause of eastern Kentucky road's deterioration debated (June 15, 2004) 

The 60-day regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly ended on April 13. Thirteen bills relating to transportation were passed into law during the 2004 regular session. Click “read full text” below for summaries of each bill.

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Winchester Mayor Dodd Dixon discusses the city’s roads at a recent meeting of the Winchester Lions Club. One of several topics discussed was the recent completion of the city’s first city funded connector route: Winchester Sun: Mayor Outlines Considerations for City Transportation Projects (March 3, 2004) 

Stuart Goodpaster of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet discussed problems with rural Clark County roads with magistrates during a recent meeting of the Clark County Fiscal Court. Under the Rural Secondary Program, which began in 1948, part of the state.s gasoline tax is used to maintain rural roads in the states 120 counties. Each year transportation cabinet officials meet with county leaders to determine what roads should be improved.

More information: Winchester Sun: Magistrates tell state of problem county roads (Feb. 26, 2004) 

Work to widen I-64 in Clark County will soon include work to reconstruct Exit 94, the interchange with KY 1958. The Winchester Sun calls for the Exit 96 interchange with KY 627 to be reconstructed as well; however, no such plans currently exist.

More information: Winchester Sun: 96 interchange needs work, too (Aug. 12, 2003) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has released the I-64 Strategic Improvement Plan . The plan covers possible upgrades to the entire length of Interstate 64 through the state.

Recent Professional Services Procurement Bulletins  include a study on rebuilding the interchanges on I-65  near the University of Louisville, a study on rebuilding KY 9 in urban Campbell County , and studies about constructing two new interchanges on the Mountain Parkway .

The entire length of I-64 in Kentucky has been designated the Purple Heart Trail. The Military Order of Purple Heart has undertaken an effort to have each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico designate one of their highways to honor recipients of the Purple Heart. Kentucky will erect 24 signs designating the Purple Heart Trail: one at each of I-64's entrances to the state and signs in each county along I-64.

More information: KYTC Press Release 

From http://www.kytc.state.ky.us/News/ewartw.johnson.htm :

LEXINGTON, KY - (December 16, 2002) - Friends and family joined state and local officials in a dedication ceremony today to honor Ewart W. Johnson of Winchester, Kentucky. The Boonesboro Bridge on KY 627 was renamed the Ewart W. Johnson Bridge in appreciation of his service to Madison and Clark Counties and to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Mr. Johnson served as the Kentucky State Parks Commissioner from 1971 - 1975, and was instrumental in the construction of KY 627 from Winchester to Boonesboro. Secretary of Transportation James C. Codell, III said, “Ewart Johnson had a vision to provide the citizens of Winchester and Boonesboro with a safer roadway. Tragically, seven people had died in seventeen months on the current road. He wanted a new road built between Winchester and Boonesboro because he wanted to save lives.”

His accomplishments as Commissioner of Parks include the construction of Fort Boonesborough at Fort Boonesborough State Park. The beginning development of what is now the Kentucky Horse Park, and the completion of an 18-hole golf course at Lake Barkley State Resort Park where he hosted the first Boots Randolph Invitational Golf Tournament. This golf tournament has since become an annual event.

Secretary of Tourism and Acting Commissioner of Parks, Ann R. Latta praised Johnson’s commitment. “Through his leadership, countless thousands of visitors have learned more about Kentucky’s history and have enjoyed a wide variety of recreational opportunities.”