PINEVILLE — U.S. Highway 119, which stretches over 30 miles from Bell County to Harlan County, is often considered one of the most dangerous roads in the area. Many local officials agree that the highway is problematic and at times lethal, and believe that a four-lane could be the best possible solution.

However, before local officials can seek federal and state money to construct a four-lane between Cumberland and Pineville on U.S. Highway 119, they needed to get cost estimates for the proposed project.

Officials recently received their answer, and the project was priced at close to $811 million.

Bell County Judge-Executive Albey Brock spoke about the potential highway project. He said that Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) officials recently conducted a corridor study to help identify problem areas on U.S. Highway 119. The purpose of the study, according to Brock, was to help officials develop a longer-term improvement option for the highway itself.

“While it is apparent that Highway 119 is a very dangerous road, there are areas of it that need to be addressed,” said Brock. “I think with a price tag of $811 million, it should be obvious to all of us that it is going to be tough to secure that kind of funding in this particular economic situation — with us being in a recession and with state government’s decline in revenues.”

Brock said that KYTC authorities recently held a public meeting at Page School Center, and identified the places ruled as in need of immediate improvements. According to information provided at that meeting, nearly $3 million dollars was allotted for short-term solutions in the corridor study — which includes turning-lanes, passing-lanes, and other safety improvements.

Brock insisted that the overall focus needs to be “on those areas that have been identified as the most dangerous.” He added that local government officials need to “aggressively seek funding to address the problems areas.”

In addition, Brock stated the he feels like there should be a turning lane at the Page School Center, which is located on U.S. Highway 119. He alleged that himself, Middlesboro State Representative Rick Nelson, and Senator Brandon Smith would “champion trying to secure the funding needed to get a turning lane there.”

“We need to try and do everything that we possibly can,” Brock said. “We need to look at the reality of it and focus on fixing that which has been identified as problematic.”

Harlan County Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mosley recently met with state officials in Frankfort — in regards to the highway project — and spoke about the proposed road expansion.

“Many of us on the local level felt it would be a challenge to get a study approved for a four-lane road from Pineville to Cumberland,” Mosley asserted. “This gives us something to work with to tell our legislators what we want to do next. The spot improvements are critical because they do tie into a four-lane road. It is important we get those underway now.”

Mosley said that most of the money for the project would likely have to come through Congressional delegation of Congressman Hal Rogers, Senator Jim Bunning and Senator Mitch McConnell.

“But the state has to work with us on this because it has to be listed in the state’s six-year road plan before these guys will secure funding for it,” expressed Mosley.

Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@middlesborodailynews.com. Some information for this article taken from the Harlan Daily Enterprise.