FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday he is disappointed with Lexington's response to recent winter weather events and offered state assistance to help the city improve its snow and ice removal operations.
Speaking at his weekly Team Kentucky press conference, Beshear criticized the city's handling of two consecutive winter storms that have left Fayette County students out of school for nine consecutive days.
"I think we're all disappointed by the city's response to this ice and snow event," Beshear said. "This is the second one in a row that we should have seen better results, and I think the mayor has said that and has taken responsibility."
The governor said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet trucks will return to Lexington to help speed up road clearing efforts. He noted that state crews initially offered assistance but were told their help wasn't needed for a period of time.
"After two times like this where it's taken them longer than similar or even smaller cities to get their roads clean, we simply have to do better," Beshear said.
Beshear said he has not yet spoken directly with Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton about the situation, but the state transportation cabinet is communicating directly with the city's road crews.
The governor highlighted the contrast between state-maintained roads and city streets, noting that interstates and state roads were cleared within about two days. He attributed part of the success to pre-treatment measures that Lexington apparently did not implement.
"The condition of the roads in Lexington are unacceptable," Beshear said. "They need to be better, but we want to work constructively with Lexington that from everything I'm hearing, wants to do better, but it can't take a third event to get there."
The state has offered to provide guidance to help update and change Lexington's snow and ice removal plan going forward.
Following Beshear's remarks, Director of Communications for the Lexington Mayor’s Office Susan Straub released the following statement:
"We appreciate the support being offered by the state. We have state trucks, construction equipment, and city trucks on our streets clearing the roads. We pre-treated the roads before the storm began. We will conduct an after- action review to find out what went right, what went wrong, and to put together a new plan going forward.”
In addition, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reported that motorists in Lexington should expect traffic delays and lane closures as KYTC crews work to clear ice from roads inside New Circle Road Wednesday after Beshear's remarks.
Multiple plow trucks and road graders are currently removing snow and ice from travel lanes, with crews focusing on turn lanes and shoulders that remain ice-covered. The operations require temporary lane closures on various state highways and city streets throughout the area.
KYTC District 7 officials said the snow and ice removal work will continue as weather conditions allow.
Drivers should use caution in work zones, follow all warning signs and flaggers, and maintain safe distances from trucks and heavy equipment. Real-time road conditions and traffic cameras are available at GoKY.ky.gov.
