U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stopped in Lexington, Kentucky Thursday, June 30 to award grants to Lexington and a flood-stricken area in the city of Jackson.
“I am so glad to be in Kentucky today,” said Secretary Buttigieg.
The $8.1 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant being invested in Lexington will replace an 86-year-old railroad overpass bridge on North Broadway.
“This is such a huge need, this project. And it has been for a long time, but the issue was always funding,” said Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton.
Mayor Gorton also spoke about the historically unsafe conditions of pedestrian’s being struck by cars or being unable to walk through the overpass. She said the project should fix these issues.
“There’s a lot of places where you mention those intersections that bridge and everyone knows what you’re talking about because it’s a headache. That’s certainly true of this underpass,” said Sec. Buttigieg.
Before stopping in Lexington, Secretary Buttigieg stopped in Breathitt County where a $21 million grant was awarded to the Panbowl Lake Corridor Project.
“They combine safety with better traffic flow and inclusion too. A rural area like Breathitt, and a diverse area like this part of lexington. These are communities that are usually left out of transportation funding and decisions. We’re trying to do it differently this time,” said Sec. Buttigieg.
Projects in Jackson are comprised of the same goals of making the city safer and connecting the community.
Some of the projects in Jackson will include widening Kentucky 15 and adding a lane in each direction. A sidewalk and new flap gate structure will also be added.
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Source: WKYT News
