Commonwealth of Kentucky

Tax revenue for the state's road fund fell 5.6% for fiscal year 2009, but it is expected to remain steady for fiscal year 2010: Louisville Courier-Journal: Recession impacts Kentucky's Road Fund (Dec. 24, 2009) 

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 2 on Oct. 6, 2009:

Motorists advised to watch for roving deer
Mating season puts deer on the move October to January

MADISONVILLE, Ky. — Deer are dangerous this time of year: It’s the beginning of mating season — and the nimble creatures are on the move, often putting themselves in the path of motorists.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is reminding motorists of the October to January mating season, when deer-related crashes spike.

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Electronic message signs along Kentucky's interstates and parkways will display highway fatality counts: Louisville Courier-Journal: Signs to cite road deaths (Oct. 7, 2009) 

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From the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety:

Kentucky highway fatalities increasing
Third quarter up five compared to same period in 2008

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 1, 2009) – The number of people killed on Kentucky’s roadways is increasing, according to preliminary numbers from the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS). There were 586 fatalities as of Sept. 30, five more than at the same time last year.

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From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 2 on July 16, 2009:

Purple prisms along Kentucky highways generate speculation
Insect traps aimed at monitoring spread of emerald ash borer

MADISONVILLE, Ky. — If you’ve driven along the Wendell Ford-Western Kentucky Parkway or any number of other highways in Western Kentucky you may have noticed some odd looking purple prisms hanging in trees along the roadside. The strange looking structures have generated several dozen calls to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and area police agencies.

According to Kentucky State Entomologist Dr. John J. Obrycki, the oddly shaped bright purple structures are taps put out to monitor the spread of the emerald ash borer.

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The state is still cleaning up from recent ice and wind storms.

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From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Dept. of Highways District 12:

What's with those pink flags?

HIGHWAY DISTRICT 12 – February 17 2009 – The pink flags you’ve seen on the shoulders of highways throughout Eastern Kentucky have nothing to do with road work.

They are pin flags which mark search locations for possible petroleum and natural gas.

Dawson Geophysical Company is surveying data in 109 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. The process uses ATVs mounted with large pneumatic tires. The vehicles send high frequency vibrations into the ground, providing energy to create images of what lies underneath. In addition, geophone receivers are used to record data from other tracts of land within the survey. The technical name for what is being done is a vibroseis geophysical seismic survey.

Now you know.

A 1980 law ties a portion of Kentucky's gasoline tax to the average wholesale price of gasoline in the state. That price has dropped in recent months, and the gasoline tax is scheduled to drop 4 cents/gallon on April 1st; however, the state legislature is considering amending the law to prevent this drop. It is estimated that tax decrease would result in $120 million decline in gasoline tax revenue.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Gas tax cut looks unlikely (Feb. 19, 2009) , Louisville Courier-Journal: Lawmakers may block drop in gas tax (Feb. 19, 2009) 

The 2006 official highway map has been released: Russellville News-Democrat & Leader: 2006 Kentucky highway map ready to hit the road (April 18, 2006) 

A shift of funding to the Louisville Bridge Project could delay dozens of other state road projects: Courier-Journal: Bridges plan could delay 80 state road projects; $789 million in federal funds now targeted for Louisville (Feb. 28, 2006) , Danville Advocate-Messenger: Bridge construction could delay U.S. 27 project in Garrard (Feb. 28, 2006) 

Two bills that would raise the speed limit on Kentucky’s interstates and parkways to 70 miles per hour appear to be on track for passage in the state house and senate: Lexington Herald-Leader: 70-mph speed limit looks as if it's in passing lane (Feb. 2, 2006) 

Gov. Ernie Fletcher is considering suspending the state’s gas tax. Such a move would result in a huge loss of income to the state’s road fund.

More information: WAVE 3: Governor Fletcher Considers Suspending Gas Tax (Sept. 30, 2005) 

The U.S. Senate recently passed their version of the “Transportation Equity Act.” The senate version of the bill must now be reconciled with the house version of the bill. The president has threatened to veto bill if Congress cannot limit the cost of the bill to $284 billion.

I will report on the sections of the bill relating to Kentucky once a conference version is prepared.

More information: Associated Press: Senate approves huge highway bill (May 17, 2005) , U.S. Library of Congress: Status of H.R. 3 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has released a press release concerning the Governor’s state-owned vehicle inspection initiative: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Governor Ernie Fletcher’s Comprehensive State Vehicle Study Begins (May 16, 2005) 

A federal appeals court recently reinstated parts of a lawsuit against the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet that claims the Cabinet inappropriately classified some companies as “disadvantaged businesses”—a designation that provided those companies with special consideration in some contracts: Associated Press: Federal court reinstates lawsuit against Transportation Cabinet (May 12, 2005) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Federal Highway Administration held a “freight summit” in Frankfort last week to discuss issues related to the conveyance of freight, both locally and globally.

More information: Business First of Louisville: Transportation Cabinet to hold first freight summit (May 6, 2005) 

A report by the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the state’s roads a "D" rating: Bowling Green Daily News: Roads in our state are in dire need of help (April 20, 2005) 

New welcome signs have been installed on interstates across the state. The Cincinnati Enquirer has a photograph of sign installation on the Combs-Hehl Bridge: Cincinnati Enquirer: New welcome signs going up; Crews install them at 11 expressway gateways (April 6, 2005) 

According to a press release from Gov. Fletcher’s communications office, new welcome signs such as these are being installed near the state’s entries points. Eleven large signs will be installed along the state’s interstates and approximately 60 smaller signs will be installed along secondary roads. The large signs cost $40,000 to produce.

Photograph courtesy Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The state government will sell $75 million in County Road and Municipal Road bonds: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Governor Fletcher announces award of $75 million in County Road and Municipal Aid bonds;

Money awarded to eligible communities as part of newly passed budget (March 23, 2005) 

The Courier-Journal has printed several letters both for and against the governor’s plan to sell $500 million in bonds to finance highway projects: Courier-Journal: Funding for highway construction and maintenance (Feb. 21, 2005) 

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, a Frankfort, Ohio company will be paid about $40,000 to create 11 new huge “Welcome to Kentucky” signs incorporating the state’s new “Unbridled Spirit” slogan: Cincinnati Enquirer: High hopes for new Ky. Slogan (Feb. 13, 2005) 

A group known as the Economic Transportation Alliance for Kentucky (ETA-KY) recently released a report which states Kentucky’s roads are in poor condition and are deteriorating rapidly due to increased use: Grayson Count News-Gazette: Are state roads facing a crisis? ETA-KY: Yes! (Feb. 10, 2005) , Economic-Transportation Alliance for Kentucky 

The state’s new “Unbridled Spirit” logo is now appearing on new driver’s licenses. The new driver’s licenses look the same as the old licenses, except the old Kentucky logo in the upper left hand corner of the card is replaced with the new logo.

More information: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Kentuckians can now see "Unbridled Spirit" in their wallets (Jan. 11, 2005) 

The Henderson Gleaner reports that the 511 traffic information system fails to provide information about the hazardous conditions in the Henderson area: Henderson Gleaner: Road hotline fails this area (Dec. 23, 2004) 

The interstates are open, but many secondary roads are impassible in Northern Kentucky: (Covington) Kentucky Post: Paralyzing storm shuts down travel (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Road clearing was suspended overnight in parts of Western Kentucky due to blizzard like conditions, and four stopped tractor trailers blocked traffic on I-71 in Gallatin County: Associated Press: Parts of Kentucky at near standstill (Dec. 23, 2004) 

A series of traffic accidents has caused long delays on I-24 in Western Kentucky. Motorists are asked not to call emergency services unless they are in immediate need of police, fire, or medical assistance: Associated Press: Wrecks tie up Interstate 24 (Dec. 23, 2004) 

Forty members of the Kentucky National Guard were activated overnight and used military tow trucks and Humvees to rescue stranded motorists. Some cars stopped along I-24 due to accidents were caught in snow drifts: Courier-Journal: Storm limits transportation options (Dec. 23, 2004) 

More information: WAVE 3: Winter Storm Coats Much Of Kentucky With Snow, Ice (Dec. 23, 2004) , Lexington Herald-Leader: Kentucky is wet and cold (Dec. 23, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet posts regularly updated traffic advisories to www.511.ky.gov . You can also obtain Kentucky traffic information by calling 1-800-RDREPORT or by dialing 511 from any cell phone.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has begun installing signs reminding motorists of the state’s “move over” law. Motorists should slow down and use caution when approaching stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights. On four lane roads, motorists should move to the lane furthest away from the stopped emergency vehicle.

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The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations reports that Kentucky is one of three states that has not addressed religious concerns with driver’s license photographs. Kentucky law states that a person’s facial features are not to be obscured in driver license photographs.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Ky. driver's license photo policy criticized (Dec. 22, 2004) 

Previous KentuckyRoads.com articles concerning license photos: Amish Clamor for Driver's Licenses without Photos, Bill to Allow State to Issue Driver’s Licenses without Photographs Meets Opposition

Kentucky has a new logo for state marketing campaigns. The “unbridled spirit” logo was favored by the vast majority of voters who participated in online polls and submitted paper ballots at state parks and highway rest areas. The new logo is already appearing on signs posted along the state’s highways.

More information: Press Release: Kentucky’s New Brand: ‘Unbridled Spirit’ Wins Going Away (Nov. 24, 2004) , Kentucky.gov: Unbridled Spirit , Lexington Herald-Leader: State's new brand hits road (Nov. 24, 2004) , Henderson Gleaner: 'Unbridled Spirit' (Nov. 25, 2004) 

Carl Kroboth, an engineer who designed several bridges and highways in Kentucky, died of cancer on Friday at the age of 71. The University of Kentucky graduate founded Kroboth Engineers, which designed the Western Kentucky Parkway bridge over the Green River and the Blue Grass parkway bridge over the Kentucky River. He retired in 1995.

More information: Associated Press: Carl Kroboth, bridge engineer, dies at 71 (July 10, 2004) 

There have been fifty-five reported vehicle-elk collisions since a program to reintroduce elk to Kentucky begin in 1998: Associated Press: Since 1998, motorists in Kentucky have collided with 55 elk (July 4, 2004) 

Officers for the Kentucky Motor Vehicle Enforcement bureau have recently staged a crack down on overweight coal trucks: Lexington Herald-Leader: State targets coal trucks (July 3, 2004) 

U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers announced this month that the U.S. Department of Transportation is releasing $994,100 to fund improvements to Kentucky’s three scenic byways: WKYT: Funding Released For Kentucky's Scenic Byways (June 2, 2004) , (Huntington, WV) Herald-Dispatch: Travelin’ Music (June 13, 2004) 

A memorial service was held last week to honor the 931 persons who died in Kentucky traffic accidents in 2003. Monuments have been erected to accident victims at all of Kentucky’s interstate welcome centers, the rest area at Slade, and at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet headquarters in Frankfort: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Ceremony Honors Victims of Traffic Accidents (May 28, 2004) 

A group known as The Road Information Program has released a report claiming that poor conditions on many of Kentucky’s highways are costing Kentuckians $2.1 billion a year: Courier-Journal: Highways in Kentucky 'deteriorating' (March 26, 2004) 

March 16 marked the 84th anniversary of the passing of a bill establishing a Department of State Roads and Highways. The legislature tasked the new department with creating a system of state primary highways with at least one main route in each county. The Legislative Research Commission page linked below includes a photograph of a road crew working in Lee County sometime around 1930.

More information: Moments in Kentucky Legislative History: State Highways 

When the 2004 Recommended Six-Year Highway Plan was released Transportation Cabinet Secretary Maxwell Clay Bailey assured legislators that no projects had been removed the 2002 Six-Year Plan; however, the Courier-Journal has found that fifteen projects scheduled under the 2002 plan were moved to the unscheduled needs list in the new 2004 plan.

More information: Courier-Journal: 15 projects cut from road plan (March 3, 2004) , WKYT: 15 Kentucky Road Projects Cut Due To Budget Crisis (March 4, 2004) , Hardin County News Enterprise: State drops I-65 widening (March 5, 2004) 

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A traveling memorial to those who have lost their lives in highway work zones is at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet building in Frankfort this week: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: National Work Zone Memorial Comes To Frankfort (March 5, 2004) , Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Work Zone Safety Message Comes Straight From The Heart (March 9, 2004) 

The Courier-Journal has a story about the proposal to sell decals to hide the smiley face on the state’s license plates: Courier-Journal: State decal proposed to eclipse plate's sun (March 1, 2004) 

The bill is Senate Bill 57 .

Speaking to the House Transportation Committee, Deputy Secretary Dick Murgatroyd said this week that the transportation cabinet needs more revenue in order to fund all of the projects in the current six year plan. Funding options which have been discussed include a 1333% increased in the cigarette tax (from 3 cents to 40 cents) or an increase in the state gasoline tax. Of ten bordering and nearby states, Kentucky has the lowest gasoline tax at 16.4-cents per gallon.

At a bill signing ceremony on Wednesday, Gov. Fletcher refused to comment on proposed tax plans.

More information: Kentucky Post: Road money sought in tax overhaul (Feb. 26, 2005) 

An editorial writer for the Courier-Journal proposes more dually named highways in addition to the Martha Layne Collins Blue Grass Parkway and the Daniel Boone-Hal Rogers Parkway: Courier-Journal: The more the merrier (Feb. 7, 2004) 

The Shelbyville Sentinel-News reports that a candidate for state representative in the Democratic primary says that Kentucky is the thirteenth most traveled state; however, it ranks forty-seventh in highway funding. The candidate, Terri Giltner, is a former employee of the transportation cabinet.

More information: Shelbyville Sentinel-News: Two contenders vie to oust Montell from government (Feb. 4, 2004) 

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported about the high price of office space in the state.s capital in a couple of weekend articles. It seems that many land deals are to the benefit of real estate investor Rodney Ratliff who is a major contributor to political campaigns; the state spends $2 million in rent each year on properties owned by Ratliff's company. Additionally, the state spent $1.2 million to buy three lots owned by Ratliff for the new transportation cabinet office building. The land was appraised by Franklin County at $92,000.

In other office space related news, Gov. Fletcher's budget proposes spending $46 million to renovate the office building which was formerly home to the transportation cabinet: leaving the building empty for years to come while hundreds of state workers are in rented office space.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Most Frankfort land deals seem to help one man (Feb. 1, 2004) , Associated Press: Fletcher's budget includes $46 million for state office building renovation (Feb. 1, 2004) 

Update (Feb. 3, 2004): More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: 7 floors of luxury for the low price of $113 million (Feb. 1, 2004) , Lexington Herald-Leader: Plans have state spending millions on rent (Feb. 1, 2004) 

Update (Feb. 7, 2004): More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Lawmakers suggest cheaper renovations (Feb. 5, 2004) 

Former Governor Louie B. Nunn (1924-2004) died of heart failure yesterday, Thursday, January 29, 2004. He was 79. Gov. Nunn is remembered, among other things, for his contribution to the state's highway system. He proposed building roads connecting the state from east-to-west; during his term as governor from 1967-1971 more toll road bonds were issued to pay for highway construction than during the previous two administrations.

During his term of office, I-65, I-71, and I-75 were completed; a total of 585 miles of interstate highways were opened; and the Audubon Parkway and Daniel Boone Parkways were approved for construction. Additionally, planning work for the Cumberland Parkway and Green River Parkway (now Natcher Parkway) began.

More information: Courier-Journal: Former governor, force in GOP, dies (Jan. 30, 2004) , Associated Press: Highlights of Nunn's Term (Jan. 30, 2004) , Associated Press: Former Gov. Louie B. Nunn dead at 79 (Jan. 30, 2004) , Associated Press: GOP pioneer Nunn dead (Jan. 30, 2004) , Kentucky Post: Nunn legacy remembered here (Jan. 30, 2004) 

The Cincinatti Enquirer reports the story of two mapmaker who work to develop maps traveling street-by-street: Cincinatti Enquirer: Mapmakers explore America (Dec. 2, 2003) 

U.S. Representative Hal Rogers announced in December that a significant amount of transportation funding had been secured for Kentucky. Projects include $20 million for Kentucky's Appalachian Regional Corridor highways, $1.5 million for I-75 widening in Rockcastle County, $1 million for reconstruction of 7 miles of the Hal Rogers Parkway, and $8.5 million for I-66 in Pike County and Pulaski County.

More information: WYMT Mountain News: Rogers Announces Funding for I-66, Other Kentucky Transportation Priorities (Dec. 3, 2003) 

Former Gov. Patton settled ethics charges by admitting to two of the four charges he faced from Executive Branch Ethics Committee. He agreed to pay a $5,000. He admitted to intervening in the approval of a company owned by his mistress Tina Conner as a disadvantaged business enterprise and to intervening in the promotion of a Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement officer who helped Conner out of a speeding ticket.

More information: Courier-Journal: Patton admits 2 charges (Nov. 17, 2003) 

The commonwealth will use a provision of the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) to receive federal money to fund LexTran and TARC. The ISTEA allows states to use money spent constructing toll roads that are now part of the National Highway System to be used as credits to receive federal matching funds. Usually, states must match 20% of the federal money applied to highway and transit project; however, Kentucky will use credits accumulated through the construction of the Kentucky Turnpike and parkway system in place of the 20% state matching funds.

More information: KYTC Press Release: LexTran and TARC Public Transit Systems Receive Funding through Toll Road Monies (Nov. 12, 2003) 

A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that motorcylce accident related fatalities have risen 58% since the repeal of Kentucky's helmet law in 1998. In 2000, the rate of fatal motorcycle accidents was 8.2 per 10,000 registered motorcycles; that national average was 6.3.

More information: Courier-Journal: Motorcycle deaths rise after helmet-law repeal (Oct. 30, 2003) 

Department of Highways employee Frank Chandler died of injuries suffered during a Aug. 19 accident on KY 8 (River Road) in Kenton County. Chandler had worked for the state for 30 years, the last 14 of which where spent in Northern Kentucky.

Chandler was struck by a car driven by Steve Stoinoff, 84, of Villa Hills. Police said that Stoinoff did not appear to be under the influence alcohol or other drugs.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: Highway worker who was hit dies (Aug. 20, 2003) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Franklin Lee Chandler (Aug. 21, 2003) 

The Courier-Journal looks at the hazards that face horse-drawn carriage drivers and steps that Kentucky and Indiana are taking to accommodate them: Courier-Journal: Sharing the road; Kentucky, Indiana take steps to protect horse-drawn vehicles (Aug. 18, 2003) 

The Courier-Journal reports that following Sept. 11, 2001, the transportation cabinet asked Kentucky's county clerks to stop issuing driver's licenses without photos. This conflicts with the religious beliefs of some Amish-style groups: Courier-Journal: Group objects to photo on license (Aug. 15, 2003) 

On Wednesday, Guy Jones resigned from his politically appointed position in the Transportation Cabinet; Guy Jones and his brother Doug Jones, and cabinet employee, came under investigation after complaints surfaced that the route of Somerset's proposed southwestern by-pass was changed to cross property they owned.

It is also being investigated how Guy Jones managed to balance his transportation cabinet job and another job with the U.S. Postal Service.

More information: Somerset Commonwealth Journal: Oh Brother! (Aug. 8, 2003) 

The past several months has seen a drastic increase in the sale of specialty plates. The unpopularity of the new "Mr. Smiley" plate has been blamed for the increase. The increased sale of specialty plates means that the charities that sponsor the plates receive more money, about $10 per plate. The Transportation Cabinet receives about the same amount of money from a specialty plate as from a regular plate.

More information: Courier-Journal: Rise in specialty plates' profits credited to 'Mr. Smiley' backlash (July 28, 2003) 

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The Judge Executives of Boone, Kenton, and Campbell County expressed support for casino gambling during the 14th Annual State of Northern Kentucky Addresses yesterday. The Judge Executives also expressed some support for increasing the state's gas tax. The leaders are concerned about the dwindling tax revenue being collected by Frankfort and are afraid that services will be cut if new revenue is not found. A proposed expansion of KY 237 in Hebron is named as an example of a project that is in jeopardy if new funding cannot be found.

More information: Cincinnati Enquirer: N.Ky. officials leaning to gambling (July 23, 2003) 

In more news of the scandals to rock the Governor's office and the transportation cabinet, word came Monday that hearings on the ethics charges brought against Gov. Patton will not be heard until mid-November. This means that rulings on the charges will not come until after Patton leaves office.

More information: Courier-Journal: Hearing on Patton's ethics charges is set; Ruling to come after governor's term expires (July 22, 2003) 

The Bowling Green Daily News has profiled a former toll collector. Sixty-year-old Bonnie Poore used to work at the Bon Ayr Toll Plaza at the western end of the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway. Now she has been transferred to maintenance division of the Department of Highways.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: From toll work to road work, woman learns that smiles count (July 21, 2003) 

Updated: 21-Jul-2003 2:00PM CDT

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet released the 2003 version of the official highway map on May 29. There were no apparent major changes over the previous year's, except for the fact that on June 10, the map was modified to show the former Daniel Boone Parkway as the Hal Rogers Parkway.

More information: KYTC: Official Highway Map 

The map is now available in rest areas. I picked up a copy at the Paducah Welcome Center yesterday. The cover art is a photograph of the William H. Natcher Bridge.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: Thousands of state’s bridges need attention (July 10, 2003) 

The state's budget problems will prevent the transportation cabinet from completing projects on schedules. In some cases, projects which are already underway may be halted.

Projects cited are the reconstruction of the Gene Snyder Freeway (I-265)/KY 22 interchange, widening of KY 70 in Hopkins County, and a bridge replacement project in Knott County.

More information: Associated Press: Transportation projects will be delayed because of budget woes (Jun. 16, 2003) 

An advertisement promoting Northern Kentucky's covered bridges apparently shows a New Hampshire covered bridge.

More information: Associated Press: Kentucky ad may show N.H. covered bridge (Mar. 27, 2003) , Associated Press: Oops! Kentucky tourism ad features New Hampshire bridge (Mar. 28, 2003) 

The Bowling Green Daily News reports in this March 14, 2003 article  that Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has setup a pothole reporting hotline. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-PATCH-IT (1-800-728-2448). If the reported pothole is on a state-maintained road, the automated system reports it to the appropriate highway district. The City of Bowling Green also has its own pothole report phone number.

The Courier-Journal reports in this March 23, 2003 article  that Louisville Metro expected to spend $500,000 on repairing potholes.

The University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet are using a $4.2 million federal grant obtained by Congressman Hal Rogers to from the Academy for Community Transportation Innovation. The Academy aims to foster community involvement to help in reducing congestion and improving the state's transportation system.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Better transportation aim of new group (Feb. 25, 2003) , Courier-Journal: Grant helps U of L, UK form transportation center (Feb. 25, 2003) 

The transportation cabinet has run into a number of scandals of late. Here is a run down of articles related to the transportation cabinet's woes:

• Associated Press: FBI says subpoena related to Conner case (Jan. 31, 2003) 
• Associated Press: Grand jury hears Cabinet witnesses (Feb. 13, 2003) 
• Associated Press: Bill would give review powers over Transportation Cabinet (Feb. 26, 2003) 
• Herald-Leader: Transportation Cabinet oversight bill passed (Feb. 27, 2003) 
• Herald-Leader: Report: Tina Conner friend got promoted with outside influence (Mar. 4, 2003) 
• Courier-Journal: Report: Patton helped officer who aided Conner (Mar. 5, 2003) 
• Herald-Leader: Ticket 'fix' may have led to raise (Mar. 5, 2003) 
• Courier-Journal: Governor hopefuls promise change (Mar. 9, 2003) 
• Courier-Journal: Minority firms receive little state business in Kentucky (March 18, 2003) 
• Herald-Leader: Ethics panel charges Patton; Allegations Stem Ffrom Conner Affair (Mar. 26, 2003) 
• Herald-Leader: Ethics Charges (Mar. 26, 2003) 
• Courier-Journal: Patton charged with 4 ethics violations (Mar. 26, 2003) 
• Associated Press: State paying $12 million to settle suit over bridge in bribery case (May 27, 2003) 
• Associated Press: Former transportation official sues governor (June 12, 2003) 
• Associated Press: Lawyer for Patton's ex-mistress says she could still be charged (June 26, 2003) 
• Associated Press: Two companies sue Transportation Cabinet over program (July 1, 2003) 
• Associated Press: Auditor criticizes planned Transportation Cabinet kitchen deal (July 1, 2003) 
• Herald-Leader: Suit alleges fraud by officials on contracts (July 2, 2003) 
• Bowling Green Daily News: Suit uses BG company to highlight its concern (July 5, 2003) 
• Herald-Leader: Governor's ex-mistress is indicted (July 10, 2003) 

Research conducted by the University of Kentucky has determined that experimental tourism signs installed along I-65 in Southcentral Kentucky were successful in attracting tourists. The study concludes that expanding the program is warranted.

Brown signs showing the distance to several attractions in Warren County and Edmonson County were installed along I-65. Signs were also installed for the Kentucky Speedway on I-71 and for Patti's 1880's Settlement on I-24.

Before the sign program can be expanded, the signs must approved by the Federal Highway Administration.

More information: Daily News: Survey shows that tourism signs are successful (Feb. 3, 2003) , Daily News: All state sites would benefit from signs (Editorial, Feb. 4, 2003) 

Update June 1, 2004: These signs are officially known as "Post-Interchange Guide Signs." The Kentucky Transportation Center has produced this 41-page report on The Evaluation of Post-Interchange Guide Signs .

Gov. Patton has defended the design of the new license plates by saying, "they don't put Rembrandts on the backs of cars." He also said that he personally had nothing to do with the design of the license plates, but that he does like it.

More information: Herald-Leader: Patton defends hiring and smiley-face plates (Jan. 7, 2003) 

The design of Kentucky's new license plate has been revealed. The new plates will begin being distributed in January. By state law, Kentucky releases new license plates every five years.

More information: KYTC Press Release , Governor Unveils New Kentucky License Plate 

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The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) has named Kentucky's parkway system and the Cumberland Gap Tunnel as Kentucky's top road project. They also recognized Wendell Ford and Calvin Grayson as the state's top transportation officials.

More information: KYTC Press Release 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will be closing several rest areas and opening a few new ones over the next few years. Two rest areas on I-64 in Shelby County, three rest areas on I-65 in Warren County and Hart County, and two rest areas on I-75 in Madison County will soon be or have already been closed; however, Kentucky is planning to build two new rest areas on I-65 in Hart County, and a one large rest area to serve both northbound and southbound traffic will be built on I-75 in Madison County. The new Madison County rest area will have parking for 400 cars, 100 trucks, and 13 oversized vehicles.

More information: Courier-Journal: Kentucky will spend millions to open new rest stops (Aug. 31, 2002) 

The article also briefly mentions the rest area on the Mountain Parkway and the service area on the Western Kentucky Parkway.

The sentencing for Kevin Lee Earles has been rescheduled for Sept. 27 to allow his lawyers more to prepare arguments against extra prison time sought by the government. Earles, a 23 year veteran of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, plead guilty to soliciting bribes from contractor that was repainting the Kennedy Bridge in downtown Louisville. Lawyers for the government are seeking added prison time because it has been revealed that Earles threatened to kill his victims.

In conversations secretly recorded by the FBI, Earles told a foreman that he would kill the foreman is the foreman turned him in. Earles threatened to ruin the business of the contractor and claimed to have previously used his tactics against a contractor repainting a bridge in Owensboro.

More information: Courier-Journal: Bridge inspector's sentencing postponed (Aug. 22, 2002) , Courier-Journal: Bridge inspector threatened to kill foreman, tapes show (Aug. 20, 2002) 

WPSD NewsChannel 6 reports in this June 19 article  that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is inspecting bridges in Western Kentucky caused by the June 18 earthquake 9 miles northwest of Evansville. The quake measured 5.0 on the Richter scale and was the largest quake to hit the region in 30 years. The Brookport Bridge near Paducah was briefly closed.

More information: WPSD: Brookport Bridge/Earthquake (June 19, 2002) , MyInKy.com: Did you feel that? (June 19, 2002) 

A Knott County road worker who says he was fired after refusing to build a bridge on private property to provide access to a chicken coop has reached a settlement with the county.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Says He Was Fired for Not Building Bridge (June 14, 2002) 

Three new America's Byways have been designated in Kentucky. These include US 23, "The Country Music Highway," in Eastern Kentucky; KY 15, "The Red River Gorge Scenic Byway;" and parts of US 25 and KY 229 which form "The Wilderness Road Heritage Highway." The National Scenic Byways Program was started in 1991 to preserve historic and scenic highways. It is administered by the Federal Highway Administration. These three routes are the first America's Byways to be designated in Kentucky.

More information: FHWA Press Release (June 13, 2002) , Messenger-Inquirer: Kentucky Routes Join America's Byways List (June 13, 2002) , Courier-Journal: Three routes added to scenic byway system (June 14, 2002) , Herald-Leader: Three roads are first in state added to America's Byways (June 14, 2002) 

A new website run by the Kentucky Family Safety Foundation allows users to, among other things, report road hazards to the appropriate government agency.

More information: Kentucky Family Safety Foundation , Courier-Journal: New Web site allows Kentuckians to report hazards to government agencies (June 3, 2002) 

Two bridge contractors who were solicited for bribes have attacked an audit of the Transportation Cabinet saying that is flawed by omissions and errors.

Full story: Courier-Journal: 2 bridge contractors attack report (June 4, 2002) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has erected memorials dedicated to those who have lost their lives on Kentucky's roadways. There are nine such memorials located at Welcome Centers on interstates around the state.

More information: KYTC Press Release (May 23, 2002) , Daily News: Interstate 65 site honors victims (May 23, 2002) , Daily Independent: Memorial stone honors memory of accident victims (May 24, 2002) , New Era: A grim reminder (May 24, 2002) 

The Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) believes that federal money for transportation projects is at risk because of the state's elimination of Vehicle Emissions Testing in Jefferson County. KIPDA believes that Jefferson County will now be unable to meet EPA guidelines to receive federal transportation money. Critics, including state representative Perry Clark (D-Louisville), say that the report uses faulty data and Jefferson County will still meet the EPA guidelines.

Courier-Journal: Transportation project funds may be at risk (May 5, 2002) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet started off the 2002 construction season by promoting their new work zone safety theme: "Please Slow Down...My Daddy Works Here" 

According to this Courier-Journal article , District 10 of the KYTC is looking for 10 volunteers to participate in Road Rally 2002. The idea is based on a similar program in Kansas. If the District 10 Road Rally is successful it may be tried elsewhere in state.

The Courier-Journal reports in this article  that GOP leader's in the state legislature are demanding an audit of the Highway Construction Contingency Account. The fund is intended for use in emergency highway repairs, but the GOP leaders accuse Gov. Patton of using it as a political slush fund to pay for pet projects in his home Pike County. Over the past 2 1/2 years Pike County received nearly 21% of the money spent in the account. This is 3 times as much of the second place Lawrence county and 25 times the average paid to Kentucky's 120 other counties. Transportation Secretary James Codell III says that there is no formal process for evaluating requests for use of the account.

The Courier-Journal reports in this Mar. 4, 2002 article  that the top donors to Gov. Patton's campaigns have been from the highway industry. The highest single donor has been John Stovall, who heads Road Builders Inc. in Muhlenberg County. Stovall and his wife have contributed $69,200 since the mid-1980s. When interviewed Stoval seemed surprised that he had topped the list.

According to this press release , Kentucky's roads have ranked 10th among the 50 states in a review of the cost-effectiveness of highways.

This Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer article  (no longer online) examines Daviess County road projects that are listed in the 2002 Six Year Highway Plan. The projects include:

• an eastern extension to the US 60 By-pass to divert traffic heading towards the William H. Natcher Bridge slated to begin construction in 2005,
• widening of Southtown Boulevard,
• reconstruction of the northernmost six miles of the Natcher Parkway,
• reconstruction of the approach the Cary Bridge over the Ohio River,
• and several pavement rehabilitation projects and bridge replacements.

The Bowling Green Daily News reports in this Feb. 10, 2002 article  that Warren County is slated to receive $187 million in road work during the next six years. This includes widening I-65, construction of new interchanges on I-65, extension of the Natcher Parkway, widening of Lovers Lane (KY 880), and widening of US 231 to Scottsville.

U.S. Representative Hal Rogers was the co-chairman of the conference committee that wrote the final transportation spending plan and his guidance helped bring more transportation spending to the Commonwealth. For many years, Kentucky's citizens paid more in federal fuel taxes that in received back from the federal government in the form of transportation spending; however, for Fiscal Year 2002 spending, Kentucky is set to receive more money back than was paid in. The Courier-Journal has this article  with more details on transportation spending.

A recent spate of fatal road crashes in Eastern Kentucky has caused the KYTC to put a greater emphasis on seat belt usage. During an eight day period in January five people were killed in five separate accident. None of the five were wearing seatbelts. Those wearing seatbelts in the accidents survived.

More information can be found at the Appalachian News Express  (no longer online) and the KYTC web site . The governor has declared February as Buckle Up Kentucky Month .

After examining press releases from Congressman Fletcher  (no longer online) and Congressman Rogers , I have learned more specific details about what projects Kentucky's money in the 2002 U.S. Department of Transportation spending bill has been allocated for:

• $20 million for land acquisition and planning efforts for Interstate 66, with an additional $2.5 million provided for ongoing design efforts of I-66 in Pike County.
• $2 million for a new initiative at the University of Kentucky. The Academy for Community Transportation Innovation will educate professionals and study transportation development, planning and design of suburban and rural areas.
• $2 million to help Kentucky establish a statewide clearinghouse for public travel information.
• $2 million for a project to provide traffic information through a universal telephone number (5-1-1). The pilot project will build a first generation 511 call center in Kentucky that could become a national resource for traffic information.
• $15.5 million for bus and bus facility needs across Kentucky.
• $1.5 million for preliminary work on a project to straighten a dangerous section of the Daniel Boone Parkway in Leslie County between mileposts 37 and 44
• $4 million for improved access to the Parkway from the new Clay/Leslie County Industrial Park
• $2 million for continued work on a project to improve US 25N in Rockcastle County to provide for increased traffic at the new Country Music Hall of Fame
• $1.4 million to improve Cold Hill Road, located in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Laurel County
• $995,000 to improve a stretch of Craigs Creek Road on U.S. Forest Service land in Laurel County
• $885,000 for improvements to Kentucky’s Scenic Byways, including the Country Music Highway, the Wilderness Road Heritage Highway and the Cumberland Cultural Heritage Highway.
• $800,000 for the design phase of a 4-lane project on a section of US 27 south of Somerset to Burnside Island.
• $500,000 to widen Leestown Road in Lexington.

The Division of Planning's 2002 Official Highway Map can now be downloaded from here . The map now indicated the proposed corridors for Interstate 66 and Interstate 69.

This Courier-Journal reports  that the number of collisions between vehicles and elks is increasing on Kentucky's highways. Elk were reintroduced into Kentucky in 1997 and in 2000 there were around 30 reported collisions with elk on Kentucky's roadways.

The conference version of the Transportation spending bill  has passed both houses of Congress and is now waiting to be signed by the President.

Kentucky is mentioned several places in the bill:

• $2,000,000 for an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) providing Eastern Kentucky rural highway information,
• $750,000 for an ITS for Lexington,
• $2,000,000 for a statewide transportation operations center,
• the corridors for I-66 and I-69 have been redefined: I-66 is now defined to use the Nunn Cumberland Parkway and I-69 is now defined to use the Carrol Purchase Parkway,
• Kentucky may now post signs saying "Future I-69" on the Purchase Parkway and "Future I-66" in the Cumberland Parkway,
• $4,000,000 for to help access to an industrial park in Clay and Leslie counties,
• $50,000 for work on Kentucky 55,
• $1,600,000 for work on Kentucky 192 in McCreary county,
• $1,000,000 for improvements to the intersection at the end of Grover Carey Bridge in Owensboro,
• $250,000 for work on Kentucky 61 in Green county,
• $300,000 for work on Kentucky 92 in Whitley county,
• $20,000,000 for I-66 (I believe this is the Somerset-London segment.),
• $2,500,000 for I-66 in Pike County,
• $320,000 for work on KY 1848 between I-64 and US 60,
• $1,000,000 for the Monticello Street underpass in Somerset,
• $1,000,000 for work on the Pennyrile Parkway (I believe this is for the southern extension to I-24),
• $1,500,000 for work on Stone Coal Road in Johnson county,
• $2,000,000 for work on US 25 near Renfro Valley,
• $5,000,000 for work on US 27 between Somerset and KY 70,
• $80,000 for work on US 27 near Burnside,
• $850,000 for work on US 431 near Lewisburg,
• $500,000 for right-of-way for US 60 in Henderson County,
• $100,000 for work on US 41A,
• $50,00 for Estill County bypass lighting around Irvine,
• $300,000 for Estill County industrial park access road,
• $400,000 for Fegenbush Lane Bridge at Fern Creek,
• $1,000,000 for Henderson riverfront project,
• $1,000,000 for engineering work on Kentucky 61 from Kentucky 487 to Columbia,
• $800,000 for Johnstown Road,
• $2,350,000 for Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for Regional Trail Improvements,
• $1,000,000 for improved access to Louisville's water front park,
• $600,000 for median on US 42 from Harrods Creek to River Road,
• $1,800,000 for Owensboro Riverfront redevelopment project,
• $42,600 for Park City sidewalks,
• $2,000,000 for Somerset downtown revitalization,
• $6,600,000 for Southern bypass around the southwestern portion of Somerset,
• $125,000 for Vine Grove sidewalks,
• $2,000,000 for Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge,
• $1,400,000 for Cold Hill Road,
• $995,000 for Craigs Creek Road,
• $1,500,000 for Daniel Boone Parkway between mileposts 37 and 44,
• $2,000,000 for Brent Spence Bridge replacement I-75 and I-71 near Cincinnati,
• $375,000 for work at I-75 Exit 11,
• $2,500,000 for Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges project,
• $885,000 for Kentucky Scenic byways (Country Music Highway, Wilderness Road Heritage Highway, Cumberland Cultural Heritage Highway),
• $30,000,000 for work Appalachian Development Highway System,
• $4,534,000 for the Kentucky Transportation Department to provide buses, vans, cutaways, and bus facilities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,
• $1,500,000 for Big South Fork Scenic Railroad enhancement project, and
• $5,000,000 for Southern Kentucky Intermodal Transportation Park.

Quite an impressive haul; however, there is no funding for I-175.

The Courier-Journal reports in this article  that the effectiveness of a program meant to help minority business owners has come into question. The program is designed to help minority owned businesses by requiring that a certain percentage of road project subcontracts to be awarded to such businesses.

Update 12/7/01: Here is a Cincinnati Enquirer  article about the program.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports in this article  (no longer online) that state budget cuts may affect road projects in the Owensboro area; however, most appear to be on track. While projects such as an eastern extension of the US 60 By-pass, the William H. Natcher bridge, and other work on US 60 are expected to be funding. Work on roads such as Southtown Boulevard was to be funded by surplus money which may no longer be available.

According to this Courier-Journal article , a $5.3 million bonus awarded to Gohmann Asphalt and Construction for finishing work in I-64 in Jefferson County has drawn criticism for being so large. It is the largest bonus that the KYTC can remember being awarded, and it appears that bonuses for early completion will be smaller in the future.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has launched an online service that allows Kentucky citizens to renew their motor vehicle registration online. Details can be found in this press release . The site itself is at www.kyrenew.com/ 

The Courier-Journal reports in this Oct. 25, 2001 article  that a lawsuit has been filed claiming that KYTC officials and bridge inspectors solicited bribes regarding repainting work on the Kennedy Bridge over the Ohio River in Louisville.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports in this Oct. 24, 2001 article  (no longer online) that a study shows that rural roads in the Green River district of Kentucky are more dangerous than the four lane highways in the region.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports in this Sept. 22, 2001 article  that road contractors have been granted immunity from personal prosecution if they testify before a federal grand jury investigating lack of competition in state paving bids. More information can be found in this Courier-Journal article .

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports in this Sept. 5, 2001 article  that lawmakers from Eastern from Eastern Kentucky have voiced complaints that Eastern counties are being left out of road plans.

The Bowling Green Daily News reports in this Sept. 5, 2001 article  that Bowling Green's city council has voted to eliminate its traffic commission. It is believe that this will streamline the traffic complaint process.

This Sept. 3, 2001 article  from the Glasgow Daily Times reports that the Kentucky State Police is adding new Camaroes to their fleet of vehicles. These vehicles, while still marked, are meant to have a lower profile than the traditional gray Crown-Victorias. The KSP has termed them Special Enforcement Vehicles. The trooper interviewed in the article will be patrolling the Nunn and Blue Grass Parkways and I-65.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports in this Sept. 3, 2001 article  that a group has been created to complain about congestion in Kenton County. The article points out that the transportation infrastructure in Kenton County, namely KY 16 and KY 17, has not kept up with the growth in the area.