Nearly $17 million in roadway funds announced for Grayson Co., including $15 million to extend bypass

Sen. Steve Meredith has announced nearly $17 million in roadway funding for Grayson County, including $15 million for the extension of the William Thomason Byway, a project first approved by the Leitchfield City Council in June 2018.

In total, Meredith announced nearly $38 million in road funding for the 5^th Senate District. The money is included in the state two-year road plan, House Bill (HB) 266.

In Grayson County, $15 million in General Fund dollars will be used to extend the William Thomason Byway from the southern intersection at KY 259 westerly to KY 54.

The byway extension, after being approved by the Leitchfield City Council, was placed on the “fast-track,” it was announced by then-Gov. Matt Bevin at Bel Cheese in Leitchfield on September 21, 2019. Construction on the project was intended, at that time, to begin sometime in 2022.

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March 2020, and along with other obstacles, resulted in a project delay. Right-of-way work off South Main Street, though, has been completed.

In addition to the byway project funding, Meredith announced that $1.87 million has been earmarked to “address safety and turn movements along Wallace Avenue in Leitchfield from the intersection with East Carroll Gibson Boulevard to the William Thomason Byway.”

“These initiatives,” Meredith stated, “signify our commitment to fostering safer roads, enhancing connectivity, and bolstering economic growth for our region. I am pleased to be part of this announcement and am thankful to see significant road funding go towards benefiting our communities.”

Other roadway funding announced by Meredith include:

$5.5 million to realign KY 86 from Jessie Priest Road to East of Rosetta Corners in Breckinridge County.
$5.25 million to address safety and geometric deficiencies on KY 79 from KY 477 to KY 144 in Breckinridge County.
$1.62 million to address geometric deficiencies along KY 261 at the s-curves just north of First Street in Breckinridge County.
$580,000to replace a bridge over Panther Creek in Butler County.
$5.5 million to reconstruct KY 79 from KY 144 to KY 1051 in Meade County.
$2.62 million to address left turn lane issues in Ohio County on US-231 at both Perdue Farms entrances.

Learn more about HB 266, the Biennial Road Plan, and the 2024 Regular Session by visiting www.Legislature.ky.gov.