From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 9:

Adopt-a-Highway groups poised to ‘summer scrub’ roadsides, help preserve scenic beauty of the commonwealth
Spring Clean Week in northeast Kentucky is June 6-12

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Volunteers will be out in force soon to “summer scrub” state highways throughout Kentucky. The Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has announced that the Adopt-a-Highway Summer Scrub Week will be held June 6-12.

“The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet appreciates the efforts of our Adopt-a-Highway volunteers who help keep our highways and communities beautiful and litter-free,” Acting Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said.

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The Ashland Daily Independent reports that Carter County officials have high hopes for the proposed KY 645 extension following recent public meetings. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is working to complete a feasibility study to determine if KY 645 should be extended from its current terminus at US 23 to I-64 near Morehead.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: Hopes high for Ky. 645 meeting (Dec. 17, 2004) , Morehead News: Second hearing held on KY 645 extension (Dec. 21, 2004) 

From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Nov. 29 through Dec. 16 the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is holding a series of the public meetings to discuss constructing a new route from the current terminus of KY 645 at US 23 near Ulysses in Lawrence County to I-64 between Morehead and the Industrial Parkway: 12-115.00 

The cabinet will also hold a public meeting on December 9 to discuss the reconstruction of KY 536 in Kenton County: 6-162.00 

Another meeting will be held on December 16 to discuss a proposed bypass of Columbia: 8-159.00 

Planning continues for a proposed project to extend KY 645 from its current terminus at US 23 to I-64 near Morehead. No money has been allocated for construction of the project; however, a $500,000 feasibility study has been ongoing since 2002. The study will help determine whether such a route is needed and present preliminary alternatives for the route.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: Ky. 645 extension still on track (Oct. 11, 2004) 

Gov. Fletcher and Transportation Secretary Bailey have appointed chief highway engineers for nine of the Division of Highways' twelve districts.

• Edward “Ted” Merryman has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for districts 1 and 2. Previously, Merryman was chief highway engineer for district 2. [more information ]
• Greg Meredith has been reappointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 2. [more information ]
• Gary M. Raymer, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 4. [more information ]
• David Jones, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 6. [more information ]
• Jim Rummage, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 7. [more information ]
• Katrina O. Bradley, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for district 9. [more information ]
• Samuel H. Beverage, P.E. has been appointed as Chief Highway Engineer for districts 10 and 11. [ more information ]

More information: WKYT: Gov. Fletcher Hires New Highway Engineers (June 29, 2004) , Associated Press: Fletcher appoints top highway engineers (June 30, 2004) , Hardin County News-Enterprise: Highway engineer appointed in E'town (June 30, 2004) , Maysville Ledger-Independent: New KTC Engineer Sees District as Unique (July 2, 2004) 

By the end of the next years motorists in Elliott County should be able to cross the Little Sandy River on a new bridge. The bridge along KY 7—which will replace a narrow steel truss span—is part of an ongoing project to improve the road through the area. Construction of the bridge itself will cost $12.9 million.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: New bridge part of $12.9 million Ky. 7 development (June 23, 2004) 

The Elliott County Chamber of Commerce held a public meeting last week to discuss plans to widen KY 32/KY 7 through Sandy Hook. The chamber is concerned that the plans will impact parking at existing businesses along the route.

More information: Ashland Daily Independent: Chamber Sets Road Project Meeting (May 27, 2004) 

Public reaction to extending KY 645 from US 23 near Ulysses west to I-64 is mixed. Some claim it will cause environment havoc; others say it will improve the local economy.

More information: Daily Independent: Public speaks on 645 (June 6, 2003) 

The KYTC Division of Planning has posted information a planning study  concerning extending KY 645 from US 23 near Ulysses to I-64

From http://www.kytc.state.ky.us/News/10-18-2002.htm :

ELLIOTT COUNTY, Ky.-(October 18, 2002)- State Senator Walter Blevins, Jr., State Representative Rocky Adkins, and Transportation Secretary James Codell, III along with other local and state officials held a groundbreaking ceremony in Elliott County today to celebrate the beginning of construction of the new Elliott County Welcome Center. This $431,000 center will be located at the confluence of Laurel Creek and Little Sandy River, 3 miles north of Sandy Hook on old route 7 & 32 or what is locally known as Laurel Cliffs & Curves Loop (county road #557).

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Elliott County Fiscal Court, Elliott County Cooperative Extension Service of University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Elliott County Heritage and Tourism Council along with Appalachian Regional Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, and Steel-Reese Foundation worked together to make this project possible.

Upon completion, the Elliott County Welcome Center will be known as the Elliott County Heritage & Cultural Center. The 3400 square feet center will contain many displays and exhibits depicting Elliott County’s history. Emphasis will be placed on education, transportation, arts, crafts, land use, and life in Elliott County.

Transportation Secretary James C. Codell, III said, "More and more, the Transportation Cabinet is given the opportunity to be a part of projects like this welcome center and we’re glad to participate. We can and are preserving our historic and natural treasures as they serve to educate us about our culture and remind us of the importance and beauty of our heritage and environment. The Federal Transportation Enhancement Program allows us to do these things for Elliott County."

Womack Development of Ashland was awarded the contract, and construction of the center is expected to be complete by spring 2003.

The Ashland Daily Independent reports in this Mar. 4, 2002 article  that $13.5 million in work on KY 7 in Elliott County will be let for bids this summer if all goes will with Army Corps of Engineers approval and state environmental reviews. The work requires approval from the Corps of Engineers because it borders a watershed property and from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife because it may impact bat habitat in the area. This project will reconstruct the road from the Laurel Gorge to KY 885. Other projects are planned along KY 7 in coming years.