Ronica Shannon
Congress has approved $12 million for the widening of US 25 from the EKU (Eastern Kentucky University) Bypass to the KY 421 split, also known as the “Defense Access Road,” by those associated with the chemical weapons destruction project at the Blue Grass Army Depot.
The funding is part of the 2009 Defense Appropriations Act that was passed last week by a congressional sub-committee.
“I’m very pleased that Senator McConnell succeeded in securing the federal funds needed to contribute to the widening of US 25,” said Madison Judge-Executive Kent Clark. “We’ve been working on this project for almost a decade now and, with the Duncannon Lane connector to I-75 almost complete, the news that Congress has approved the $12 million is most welcome.”
These funds will provide better access to the industrial park, improve traffic coming in and going out of Richmond, and achieve its primary objective, which is to improve evacuation capabilities for those working at the depot, he said.
“It’s a win-win for the depot and the community,” Clark said.
Small bright orange flags along part of US 25 mark the boundaries for the project. A starting date for construction has not yet been set.
The completed project for US 25 is estimated to cost about $28.5 million.
This particular section of US 25 has a two-lane cross section. The project would widen US 25 to a four-lane cross section, providing more capacity to the north-south route in the county.
The length of the construction is estimated to be 3.5 miles long.
US 25 is the primary north/south route between Richmond and Berea, other than I-75. It serves the industrial and residential area between the two cities as well as the Bluegrass Army Depot.
The project is to complement the Duncannon Road widening project by forming a circulating roadway system between I-75, the Richmond Bypass, US 25 and Duncannon Road.
US 25 also acts as an alternate route for I-75 during interstate closures because of construction and accidents.
According to the latest Madison County Transportation Study, about 28,000 vehicles travel US 25 each day.
The study also predicts that I-75, US 25/US 421 and KY 876 (Richmond Bypass) will continue to be the most heavily traveled arteries in the county.
Traffic volumes also are expected to soon increase between 40 and 100 percent, with I-75 volumes predicted to increase by slightly more than 100 percent.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.
