Some of the good news to come from this past session has to do with state road funding projects in Boone County. The Kentucky State Senate, the Kentucky House of Representatives, and the Governor adopted and signed a road plan for the next two years which includes over a record $45 million in much-needed road funding. Boone County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state, and road funding has always been a top priority for me.
The largest project that was approved is what I call the middle section of Pleasant Valley Road which runs from Valley View Drive to Rogers Lane. This will finally complete the Pleasant Valley Road Project making it four lanes all the way from KY 18 to US 42. We started this project over ten years ago, so it is good to see the final phase approved.
Sen. John Schickel
In addition, design money was approved to make Gunpowder Road four lanes from US 42 to Mount Zion. When this is completed, we will have the much-awaited, four-lane highway in Boone County completed all the way from Hebron to Union.
Another important project which we have heard a lot about is the new interchange at I-275 and Groves Road, which will relieve congestion in the Hebron area. Design, utilities, and some construction money were all approved in the two-year road plan. In my ten years in the State Senate, this is the fastest I have ever seen a project move ahead, thanks to the hard work of the House Budget Subcommittee on Transportation Chairman Sal Santoro and Boone County Judge-Executive Gary Moore pushing this project.
Another important project in Hebron, which many residents have expressed the need for, is expanding and improving the roundabout with additional lanes along North Bend Road between Cardinal Cove and Graves Road.
As you have probably noticed, the current construction on Mt. Zion Road is full speed ahead and will hopefully be open to traffic by the end of the year. While we’re talking about Union, a constant problem for commuters from the Union area during morning rush hour has been the intersection of US 42 and Weaver Road. The Kentucky Transportation Department’s Chief Engineer tells me this is the busiest intersection by traffic count in Northern Kentucky. Approximately $2.5 million was approved to increase capacity at that intersection with special emphasis on the left turn on US 42 westbound onto Hopeful Church Road.
Numerous road improvement projects were approved around the airport to accommodate the new Amazon terminal, which will be one of the largest in the world. This project will bring literally thousands of jobs to our area. We will also be seeing numerous repaving projects which were approved in this year’s road plan. These are just some of the many important road projects that were approved.
Thank you to the Governor, Senate, and House Leadership for working with the Boone County legislative members and making these roads a reality.
Senator John Schickel (R-Union) represents the 11th District in Boone County.
SENATOR SCHICKEL: Were you a part of the high tax caucus that voted in 17 brand new taxes that will relieve taxpayers of half a BILLION DOLLARS?