The state transportation cabinet this week released a list of priority projects including 74 projects that will be funded and another 49 are under consideration for funding.
Cabinet spokesperson Naitore Djigbenou said a design-build approach allows four separate contracts to be bundled into one for the Louisville area. “It also slices the length of construction, so by doing that type of approach we go from pursuing four projects that would have taken seven years to now pursuing four projects that are going to only take four years. And that’s very important in an area like Louisville that’s very bustling,” said Djigbenou.
Djigbenou said the road construction work in Louisville includes widening of interstates 71 and I-265 plus two interchange projects. Local transportation leaders in four geographic areas of Kentucky will also gather to discuss other priority highway projects.
In recent years, state lawmakers have been discussing ways to support future road construction. Djigbenou said a review of a higher gas tax is just one item on the table.
“It’s not just gas tax, but there are proposals to change motor related fees and other items. The only recommendation on the table is not just a gas tax increase. But, it is something that’s been broached before,” Djigbenou.
Senate Transportation Committee Chairperson Ernie Harris has previously indicated gas tax and other motor fee proposals deserve attention with increasing numbers of electric vehicles on Kentucky highways.?
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