Published: August 08, 2008 12:16 pm         

KY 32 changes discussed

Representatives of the KYTC (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet) gathered in Elliottville last Thursday to discuss 14 miles of KY 32 that could receive $30.45 million of reconstruction beginning in 2014.

The more than 150 people who attended were asked to submit ideas on how to improve the roadway through rural Rowan and Elliott counties.

The KYTC is undertaking a planning study to develop and evaluate alternatives for the improvement of KY 32 between KY 504 near Elliottville in Rowan County and KY 7 near Newfoundland in Elliott.

The objective of the study is to find what - if anything - should be done to the nearly 14 miles of roadway.

Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins was among the several dignitaries to attend the meeting and said funding for the planning study ($350,000) is available in the transportation cabinet’s budget.

“My vision is that we need to improve the safety of this highway and still maintain its scenic view, the heritage of it and its character,” Adkins said. “This is a section of road that needs to be straightened. This meeting is to see if the public supports it, and to get your feedback about the project and see what your feelings are about it.”

Carl Dixon, senior transportation engineer with Wilbur Smith Associates of Lexington and consultant for the planning study, said sensitive areas of KY 32, such as cemeteries and historical sites would be avoided during the potential reconstruction.

“We haven’t even drawn any lines on a map yet,” he said about the study. “We are doing this survey to get your ideas first. The study will take about one year, and we will come back with the recommended routes for you to see.”

Dixon said improving the road would enhance highway access from Sandy Hook and southeastern Kentucky to businesses, medical facilities, post-secondary education facilities and Interstate 64 at Morehead.

Other preliminary goals include improving access to the Little Sandy Correctional Complex; improve access to the Laurel Gorge and Grayson Lake, as well as agritourism, ecotourism, local arts and crafts scenic tours and motorcycle tours and rallies.

Although many folks agreed the road needs revamping, some had concerns about the study. Bet Ison of Elliott County said she believes straightening the road could damage its surroundings. “I feel that KY 32 from Elliottville to Sandy Hook is a cultural and scenic treasure,” he said. “I really think that working on this road will destroy the environment and scenery of it.”

Meanwhile, each person was asked to complete a survey questionnaire and return it to the several representatives of KYTC present at the meeting.

Study area maps also were available for citizens to mark any areas of the study route they felt were of concern. The maps outlined the project area and described the environment, community, traffic and engineering impacts.

“That’s why these public meetings are so important,” Deanna Miller, planning engineer for District 9, said. “We have traffic crash data, measurements of the roadway and maps of the terrain. Now we need data from the most important source – those who drive the roadway and use it every day.”

The next public meeting is scheduled for February 2009 to gain input from the community and to gather proposed improvement alternatives. Comments will continue to be taken for the next 15 days. For questions or comments about the study, contact Thomas Witt, project manager for the Division of Planning with KYTC, at 200 Metro Street, Frankfort, 40622 or call 502-564-7183 or e-mail at Thomas.Witt@ky.gov.



The recommended highway plan 2008- 2014 includes:

• Design – 2010 - $3,640,000

• Right-of-way – 2012 - $3,310,000

• Utilities – 2012 - $3,250,000

• Construction – 2014 - $20,250,000

Total - $30,450,000



Roadway fact:

• The study portion of KY 32 is a rural major collector route.

• KY 32 has 9-10 feet wide lanes and 2-4 feet wide shoulders

• Between March 2004 and Dec. 2007, 48 crashes (one fatal and 15 injuries) were reported along the study portion of KY 32.

• The posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour.

• Existing traffic includes 470 to 3,670 vehicles each day.