The Kentucky House of Representatives Wednesday passed a two year funding package for roads and bridges in the state. Representatives Myron Dossett, Lynn Bechler, Walker Thomas and Kenny Imes each supported the plan. Representative Jason Petrie did not cast a vote on the road plan.
House Bill 202, or the road plan, was crafted with a focus on improving safety, maintaining the current road and bridge assets, and promotion of economic development.
According to a release, the House road plan maintains the substantial investment recommended by Governor Matt Bevin to repair and replace Kentucky’s growing list of structurally deficient bridges. A total investment of more than $545 million over two years that will allow bridges in 103 of the 120 counties to be repaired or replaced.
State officials say Kentucky currently has a $1 billion resurfacing backlog, which has grown over the past several years due to a lack of funding. The House road plan invests more than $365 million in pavement management over the next two years.
Unlike past road plans, including the 2016 Enacted Road Plan which was 214% over-programmed, state officials say the 2018-2020 House plan is a realistic approach that limits over-programming to 7%, which will provide greater certainty in projection completion.
The plan now heads to the Senate for consideration.
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