SENATOR DAMON THAYER AND REPRESENTATIVE PHIL PRATT SECURE FUNDING FOR KEY SCOTT COUNTY ROAD PROJECTS
FRANKFORT, KY (April 25, 2022) — The 2022 Legislative Session of the Kentucky General Assembly has concluded. Included in this year’s road plan for the commonwealth was funding for significant projects in Scott County. Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown) and Rep. Phil Pratt (R-Georgetown) played instrumental roles in securing these vital funds.
“Scott County is the fastest-growing county in the state with Toyota located in Georgetown, employing thousands of Kentuckians,” Thayer said. “It’s important our roads can meet the demands of our growing economy here in Georgetown and Scott County. I’m a proud resident of Georgetown, and I take pride in fighting to make our community stronger. This allocation of funds will meet many needs for Scott County residents and people who travel to, from and through the county.”
Scott County projects receiving funding in state road plan legislation (House Bill 242) included:
● $30 million total for the continued widening of US 460 from Bourbon County into Scott County:
○ $8 million for land acquisition for right-of-way in 2022.
○ $7 million for identification and repositioning of utilities in 2023.
○ $15 million for construction in 2024.
● $11,081,000 total for continuation of improvements on the Connector (KY 2906) from US 460 to US 62:
○ $1,158,000 for land acquisition for right-of-way in 2022.
○ $1,406,000 for identification and repositioning of utilities in 2023.
○ $8,517,000 for construction in 2025.
Additional funding totaling $400,000 in construction funds was included in House Bill 490 in the closing days of the session to assist the Scott County Fiscal Court on pavement management of Old Oxford Road. The bill was signed into law on April 22.
“I am glad House Bill 490 was signed into law,” Thayer said. “The $400,000 allocation to our local fiscal court is excellent news for homeowners who reside on Old Oxford Road.”
Notably, $250 million in additional general fund dollars were allocated to secure federal grants for state megaprojects, including the Brent Spence Bridge in northern Kentucky, the Mountain Parkway in eastern Kentucky and the Interstate 65 Ohio River Bridge Project in western Kentucky. The Brent Spence Bridge will be the cabinet’s main focus in the first round of grant applications to maximize Kentucky’s efforts.
Expected federal grant funds for the Brent Spence Bridge will total around $720 million and $150 million in federally reimbursable bonds to complete the megaproject. With the money authorized by Thayer, Pratt and the rest of the Kentucky General Assembly, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet can now apply to receive federal support for the project.
“These investments in our state’s infrastructure will build on the successes the legislature has helped stimulate through good conservative policies since 2016,” Thayer said. “We have witnessed historic economic investment since that time. I want to see other regions in our state grow as this county has. Reliable infrastructure is essential to our further growth and success. I want to thank my colleagues in the legislature for another successful session, and especially my friend, Rep. Phil Pratt, who helped secure funding for Scott County.”