MAGOFFIN COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Gov. Matt Bevin took a helicopter this morning out to Magoffin County to announce a major expansion of the Mountain Parkway.
The governor stressed two hoped-for attributes of the $80 million project: economic opportunity and safety.
Bevin was joined by other state and local leaders in field overlooking the parkway as he announced plans for the 4.6-mile road expansion that will break ground in the coming months.
The project will create a 21-mile stretch of four-lane roadway, eliminating some dangerous S-curves that are notoriously magnets for accidents.
An interchange at Kentucky Highway 3046 also will be added to provide additional local access.
Bevin and the other leaders stressed the importance of improved infrastructure to Eastern Kentucky's ability to expand its economy.
"We are seeing an increased number of companies interested in eastern Kentucky. And the reason they are interested because of our workforce. They know the caliber of work. They know the quality of the worker. They know the loyalty of the worker. And this in today's day and age, those are three things that workers everywhere, that companies everywhere are looking for," Bevin said. "So I'm excited. I think good things are coming. And this kind of infrastructure project is going to only make it more possible."
The project is expected to take three years.
