From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 4:

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (May 17, 2010) — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has scheduled a public meeting to address right-of-way acquisition for the planned Bullion Boulevard connector in Hardin County.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. EDT at Vine Grove Elementary School in Hardin County.

“As right-of-way acquisition begins for the Bullion Boulevard connector, the Transportation Cabinet wants to ensure that the public and area property owners and residents are fully aware of the process,” Patty Dunaway, chief engineer of the Elizabethtown highway district said. “The public’s voice and participation is always important as we move forward with a project of this scope.”

Project plans call for a 3.5-mile connector route extending from KY 1500 at the KY 313 intersection northward to the U.S. 31W and Bullion Boulevard intersection, near Fort Knox’s Chaffee Gate. Land acquisition is expected to begin this summer.

The connector is designed to alleviate traffic congestion on U.S. 31W and improve mobility between Vine Grove and Fort Knox. Area population is expected to swell as Fort Knox realignment continues, drawing thousands of additional civilian and military personnel.

“This extension is an important part of the overall plan to prepare for the population growth expected in the Fort Knox area,” Acting Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said. “The cabinet is working with federal, state and local partners to ensure feasible transportation solutions that facilitate the base transition and related changes.”

Residents along the planned route are encouraged to attend anytime during the open-format meeting. Notifications have been mailed to area property owners. Transportation Cabinet staff and consulting engineers will be available to discuss project plans and right-of-way impacts.

Public comments will be accepted during the meeting or can be sent to the Transportation Cabinet District 4 Office, 634 E. Dixie Ave., Elizabethtown, Ky., 42701 before June 4, 2010.

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Editor's note: My apologies for posting this after the meeting had already occurred.