More than $6.48 million to repair flood-damaged state roads has been authorized by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for counties in Highway District 12. Chief District Engineer Kevin Damron said that this work is already under contract. Additional routes will be included in bid lettings within the next month.

Contracts already awarded include the following route numbers and repair amounts:

Pike County

$610,345.00 for KY 1056 (10 sites) and KY 3227 (13 sites)

$539,228.78 for KY 1758, KY 2059, and KY 3154

$715,984.05 for KY 3220 and KY 3419

$101,085.00 for KY 1426 (2 sites) and KY 881 (2 sites)

$1,179,695.00 for KY 1441 (34 sites) and KY 2061 (12 sites)

Routes which will be included in future bid lettings include the following:

Floyd County

KY 122, Martin to Virgie Road (18 sites)

KY 7, Salyersville to Wayland Road (7 sites)

KY 979, Eula Hall Highway (15 sites)

KY 1428 (3 sites) and KY 550 (1 site)

 

Pike County

KY 194, Upper Johns Creek (5 sites), and KY 199 (15 sites)

KY 1056, Pond Creek to the West Virginia state line (10 sites), KY 1460, Chloe Road (4 sites), and KY 3417, Hurricane Creek (1 site)

KY 319, Hardy to Belfry Road (18 sites), and KY 632, Kimper to Phelps Road (5 sites)

KY 308, Forest Hills Road (5 sites), and KY 612, Turkey Creek Road (24 sites)

In May and June of this year, state highway crews worked six and seven days a week, as much as 16 hours a day, to remove flood debris and mud, clean out culverts, drain tiles, and ditchlines, and get these damaged highways open, safe, and passable. “Permanent repairs have been a while coming,” said Engineering Branch Manager Sam Hale. “While our maintenance crews have worked diligently to clean up the mess, our engineering teams in the section offices have worked closely with FEMA to obtain federal emergency funds to help cover some of the storm damage repair cost. Now that work is paying off with bid lettings and contract awards.”

Chief District Engineer Kevin Damron said that work should begin soon on most of the contracts awarded. “Our construction season ends November 30,” he pointed out, “and we expect to see a good amount of work completed before then.” He said it isn’t realistic to think everything can be fixed before winter weather sets in.

“I want everyone who lives along and drives on these roadways to know that we truly appreciate their patience. We know that these roads have been severely damaged and we have done the best we can to make temporary repairs to keep them open and passable. It has been a difficult time for everyone, and we just ask that people continue to drive carefully through the work zones during construction activities,” he said.