From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 10 (Aug. 28, 2015):

Public meeting on new route for KY 30 in Owsley County draws 100 attendees

JACKSON, KY – Approximately 100 people attended a public meeting Thursday, Aug. 27, to discuss the proposed relocation of KY 30 in Owsley and Jackson counties. The meeting was conducted by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Department of Highways District 10.

Attendees viewed a presentation by District 10 personnel and consultants. They provided comments on the project, asked several questions and viewed maps of the area showing the general scope of the proposed project. They were also provided comment forms on which they could express their opinions on the project.

A project is under development to relocate KY 30 between the US 421 intersection at Tyner in Jackson County and Travellers Rest in Owsley County. Two new-terrain corridors are under consideration. Both would begin at the intersection of US 421 and the new segment of KY 30 that was opened to traffic last year. One corridor would cross existing KY 30 near Elias in Jackson County and run to the northwest of the existing route to Travellers Rest. The other would cross existing KY 30 in Owsley County, approximately 1.5 miles from the Jackson County line, then run northwest of the existing route along a new alignment to Travellers Rest.

Both corridors will use the new bridge currently under construction at Travellers Rest, and will tie into the separate project to realign KY 30 between Travellers Rest and Levi. A contract is scheduled to be awarded for construction of that segment later this year.

The proposed road would have two 11-foot driving lanes. Truck climbing lanes on hills are under consideration. It would also feature paved shoulders, turning lanes at major intersections and a 30-foot clear zone adjacent to the highway.

When combined with the segment already completed in Jackson and Laurel counties and the portion in Owsley County to be awarded later this year, the new road will reduce travel time from the Beattyville/Booneville area to I-75 at London from around one hour to approximately 40 minutes. The entire corridor will provide improved safety and mobility for drivers who use it.

This project is included in the 2014-2020 Kentucky Highway Plan, approved last year by the General Assembly.

The project manager will receive written comments on the project through Sept. 15. Photographs and plans displayed at the public hearing may be viewed at the Department of Highways District 10 office, 473 Highway 15 South, Jackson, during the comment period. Comments on the project may be addressed to: Darren Back, P.E., project manager; Kentucky Department of Highways, P.O. Box 621, Jackson, KY 41339.

A similar meeting is scheduled for Jackson County on Tuesday, Sept. 1. It will be held at Tyner Elementary School.

From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 10:

Two area counties to receive new driver’s license software, cameras
Driver’s license operation to be suspended for one day in Owsley, Perry to allow for installation

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 13, 2012) – Installation of software and cameras for Kentucky’s new driver’s license will require a one-day suspension of license-issuing activity in the circuit court clerk’s offices in Owsley and Perry counties in the coming days.

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From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Dept. of Highways District 10:

JACKSON, KY – The bridge carrying KY 3347 (Shepherd Lane) over Meadow Creek in Owsley County will be closed until Thursday, May 14 for repairs.

Inclement weather during this period may force the closure to be extended as required to complete the work.

No marked detour will be posted, but motorists can use KY 30 and KY 28 as alternate routes.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has received a $3.1 million grant to fund various public transit projects in rural Kentucky counties: Lexington Herald-Leader: Transportation Cabinet gets $3.1 million (March 2, 2005) 

The transportation cabinet’s division of planning has recently released information regarding KY 30 on Jackson and Owsley Counties  and US 41A in Hopkins County .

The KYTC has released additional information  from public meetings about upgrading KY 30 near Tyner and Booneville. This information includes two questionnaires and a link to the scoping study.

The KYTC has released materials from two upcoming public meetings  regarding reconstruction of KY 30 in Owsley and Jackson Counties. The meetings will be held on October 4 in Tyner and October 9 in Booneville.

The KYTC has released the KY 11 Intermediate Planning Study . The study provides information about the need for reconstruction of KY 11 in Lee and Owsley counties and provides estimated costs for the project.