Graves County Fiscal Court awarded $331,142 in discretionary funds for critical bridge replacement County bridge connecting Graves and Carlisle to be replaced
PADUCAH, Ky. (Oct. 22, 2018) – As part of Governor Matt Bevin’s commitment to prioritize transportation infrastructure projects and increase economic opportunity across the Commonwealth, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has awarded $331,142 in discretionary funds to the Graves County Fiscal Court for the replacement of a vital bridge on Bethel Church Road that connects Graves and Carlisle counties.
KYTC District 1 Chief Engineer Kyle Poat made the announcement during Monday’s Graves County Fiscal Court meeting as part of a listening tour visit to hear directly from local officials on their most pressing transportation issues.
“The Bevin Administration has charged our Cabinet to focus on taking care of what we have at both the state and local level to address critical infrastructure needs that improve safety and support job creation and retention,” Poat said. “This bridge has been out of commission since late 2013, severing an important connection between the counties. Thanks to this funding, we can restore needed access for motorists, businesses, and emergency vehicles.”
Judge-executives from both counties submitted a request for funds to the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid (RMA). Graves County is responsible for administering the work and will be reimbursed by KYTC for the project.
“The Bethel Church Road bridge repair is wonderful news for Graves County and Carlisle County,” said Graves County Judge-Executive Jesse Perry. “We truly appreciate Commissioner Gray Tomblyn, Chief District Engineer Kyle Poat, and RMA field representative Mark Welch for taking time to visit the bridge site and listening to the concerns of community members. We are thankful these officials were able to find the funding and make the necessary repairs for the safety of the public.”
Neighboring county Judge-Executive Greg Terry of Carlisle County was also grateful to have the vital connection reestablished between the two counties.
“Carlisle County is very pleased to be working with our neighboring county, Graves County, in getting this bridge replaced,” said Judge Terry. “The community it serves is a close knit family and church community and this bridge will allow them to once again have quicker access to each other. I’m thankful to the Transportation Cabinet for seeing how important this project is to our community and awarding the funding for this new bridge.”
Requests for discretionary funding will be evaluated by the KYTC district staff to determine the most critical needs based on factors such as safety, economic impact, and traffic volumes.
“I appreciate the Governor approving discretionary funds to replace the bridge on Bethel Church Road in Graves County,” said Sen. Stan Humphries This project will help citizens in the area and sustain the agriculture economy in Graves County.”
Rep. Richard Heath, who serves as House Agriculture Committee Chair, also recognized the positive impact the project will have for local farmers.
“The upkeep of our county bridges is critical to our citizens, farmers and local economy, and I am thrilled to see this project become a reality,” said Rep. Heath. “This important bridge project is the latest example of the infrastructure needs of our rural communities being prioritized in Frankfort.”
The bridge replacement on Bethel Church Road connects Bethel Church Road in Graves County (CR 1425) with CR 1026 in Carlisle County Road. Construction is expected to begin Spring 2019.