Published: March 20, 2009 11:08 pm      

Meeting about Ky. 32 to focus on solutions for Rowan and Elliott

SANDY HOOK — Next week’s public meeting for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Ky. 32 Alternatives Study will focus on the highway’s top transportation problems and potential improvements in Rowan and Elliott counties.

Alternatives include widening the existing roadway, reworking short sections, constructing a new highway, utilizing a combination of ideas or a “no-build” option.

The public will be able to view maps and other information that will show the details of each alternative during a public meeting Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Elliott County High School gym in Sandy Hook.

In addition to filling out survey forms at the meeting, the public will be encouraged to vote for top two favorite alternatives and one least favorite.

Alternatives study

The primary purpose of the Ky. 32 alternatives project is to improve highway travel time and safety from Sandy Hook, Elliott County and southeastern Kentucky to businesses, medical facilities, post-secondary education facilities, other services and attractions and I-64 at Morehead. Additional project goals include:

—Enhanced economic opportunities. Improved access would be provided for existing government, business, commercial or professional services already using the roadway.

—Support and preservation of tourism. Incorporation of context sensitive design features as well as improved access to Laurel Gorge, Grayson Lake, local arts and crafts or scenic destinations would enhance the travel industry.

At the beginning of the study last summer, engineers met with local officials, local stakeholders, agencies and residents to provide information and solicit input. Discussions centered on potential concerns and impacts along the Ky. 32 study corridor — from Ky. 504 at Elliottville in Rowan County to Ky. 7 at Newfoundland in Elliott County.

At the first public meeting on July 31, attendees identified the top five transportation problems as sharp curves, few passing opportunities, narrow shoulders, school bus safety and steep hills.

Consultants with Wilbur Smith Associates, the Lexington engineering firm contracted to conduct the study, used information from the meetings to develop more than a dozen potential solutions. Those ideas were then evaluated against the project’s purpose as well as community needs, environmental impacts, costs and other criteria.

Public meeting

At next week’s public meeting, the resulting alternatives — as well as a list of potential short-term improvements — will be displayed, and once again the public’s input will be sought.

The meeting will be conducted “open format” style and will not include a formal presentation. One can visit between 5 and 7 p.m., view the information and discuss the proposals with members of the project team. Engineers will be available in the exhibit area to answer questions and listen to comments from area residents, business owners and highway users.

An official comment form will be available for the public to fill out at the meeting or mail back later.

The Cabinet wants the public’s ideas, concerns and opinions of local communities and stakeholders so that it can make decisions about future projects or improvements to the roadway.

For those unable to attend the meeting, maps showing the project alternatives will be available for viewing from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for 15 days after the meeting at the Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 office at 822 Elizaville Ave. in Flemingsburg. Information can also be found on the district’s Web site at http://transportation.ky.gov/d9/KY32Study.htm.

Comments will also be accepted for 15 days after the public meeting through comment forms distributed at the meeting, by e-mail to kytc.comments@ky.gov or by writing to Keith Damron, PE, director, Division of Planning, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Office Building, 200 Mero St., Frankfort, KY 40622.