Knott County

The Courier-Journal takes a look at the proposed Interstate 66: Courier-Journal: I-66: A road to growth or path of destruction?; Environmental impact statement for first Kentucky leg being studied (Feb. 26, 2006) 

Beginning February 13, residents of highway District 12 will see highway workers removing signs that have illegally been placed in state rights-of-way.

[Read Full Text]

A seal failure at a abandoned coal mine in Knott County resulted in a mudslide over a section of KY 80: Associated Press: Mine blowout closes major highway in eastern Kentucky (April 18, 2005) , Lexington Herald-Leader: Closed road expected to reopen today; Ky. 80 In Knott Had Been Covered By Mud (April 20, 2005) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has received a $3.1 million grant to fund various public transit projects in rural Kentucky counties: Lexington Herald-Leader: Transportation Cabinet gets $3.1 million (March 2, 2005) 

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) 

US 68 and KY 80 played host a 400 mile long yard sale the first weekend of June: Bowling Green Daily News: 400-mile yard sale kicks off on 68-80 (June 3, 2004) , (Hopkinsville) Kentucky New Era: The 400-mile sale (June 4, 2004) , Bowling Green Daily News: Buyers crossing nation for statewide sale (June 5, 2004) , Bowling Green Daily News: Festival gives Smiths Grove chance to relax, sell goods (June 6, 2004) 

A report by a tax watchdog group and environmental activist group denounces plans to construct a new Ohio River bridge in eastern Jefferson County and plans to construct Interstate 66 across Kentucky: Courier-Journal: East End bridge draws fire (June 3, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Planning has posted new information regarding a proposed new route connecting Harlan and Hazard. The material includes two maps of the area under consideration.

More information: KYTC Division of Planning: Harlan to Hazard Connector 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Planning has released materials concerning a planning study for a new route connecting Harlan and Hazard. See here   for more information.

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) 

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)