But before they take any action, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), along with other agencies, is going to review public comments they received at a public meeting held Wednesday night at Page School Center.
At the meeting, visitors were encouraged to take public comment forms and go through a series of stations, where they could meet with KYTC officials, ask questions, or look at maps that detailed where KYTC had identified places for improvements.
John Dobson, Public Information Officer for KYTC, said that “nothing is set in stone at this point” and that they take comments very seriously.
“There’s been cases where projects have not gone forward” because of public comments, said Dobson.
Many members of the community and elected officials showed up at the meeting to have their voice heard.
But Dobson said whatever work that is done would not include making US 119 a four-lane.
“The scope of this project is mainly improving the existing highway,” said Dobson. “It’s really not looking to be a great expansion of that road.”
According to information provided at the meeting, $3 million dollars was allocated for “short-term solutions in the corridor,” which include turn lanes, passing lanes, and other safety improvements.
“We’ll look at some of the entrances and exits that have been built over the years, and see ways we can reconfigure those, make them a little less dangerous,” said Dobson.
The study was initiated by a group of local community leaders and elected officials.
The purpose of the study is to identify problems in the corridor — which goes from Bell to Harlan County, and is 33 miles long — and develop a longer-term improvement plan that solves those problems, according to the information.
Dobson said it could take between a year and 18-months before the improvements are made.
Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.
my dad used to have the big white bread van that sold used work clothes in south eastern kentucky.