Fiscal Court approves KYTC rural-secondary resurfacing plan and accepts related bids

Henry County Fiscal Court approved projects recommended by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 5 for the 2025–26 rural secondary resurfacing program and accepted related procurement bids during a public meeting.

Tom Hall, KYTC’s District 5 planning section supervisor from the Louisville office, presented the cabinet’s recommendation and funding breakdown, saying, “Concurrence is something that's really required by, state law, and so that's why we're here.” Hall said the program begins with a prior-year balance of $121,127 plus an initial allotment of $1,201,013, for $1,322,140 available. After the county’s maintenance allocation ($720,600) and a $120,101 flex-fund set-aside to let counties use a portion on local roads, Hall said $481,439 remained for rural-secondary resurfacing.

KYTC recommended resurfacing Kentucky 1861 (Smithfield Road) from KY-322 to KY-55 — a 5.441-mile project estimated at $409,808 — and a continuation on Kentucky 389 (the river road), 1.274 miles estimated at $90,860. Hall said estimated overruns would carry into next year or be adjusted in future budgets.

Magistrates raised local concerns about heavy truck traffic and rising base failures on specific routes. Magistrate Roger Hartley urged more attention to the corridor between U.S. 127/Interstate 71, KY-146 and KY-712, saying, “So at some point in time, this road's getting dangerous.” Court members also discussed recurring crashes at the Smithfield crossroads and suggested a roundabout as a possible long-term solution if funding and right-of-way permit.

After the KYTC presentation the court read and approved a resolution giving formal concurrence to District 5’s recommended projects. Ed (mover) and Brad (seconder) put the resolution to a vote; the clerk recorded the motion as carried.

Procurements and awards: the court reviewed competitive bids for asphalt, aggregate rock and salt and made awards or acceptances as follows: - Asphalt (picked up and laid by ton): Bids were received from Mago, Shelbyville Asphalt, Henkel and Louisville Paving (Louisville’s bid was nonconforming to the advertised unit pricing). The court accepted Mago’s picked-up and laid bid and authorized Shelbyville Asphalt as a same-price backup if Mago’s plant is unavailable. Motion by Bridal, second by Carl; motion recorded as carried. - Rock (various limestone sizes and dust): the court accepted the single aggregate bid submitted (per-ton rates listed during the meeting). Motion by Ed, second by Brad; motion recorded as carried. - Road salt: the county used a Keiko reverse auction process; Morton Salt Inc. won at $121 per ton (down from $160 during the auction). The court accepted the Keiko reverse-auction result. Motion by Bridal, second by Kevin; motion recorded as carried.

The court also approved advertising for bids on a budgeted dump truck equipped for plowing and salt spreading so the county can solicit formal proposals. That advert motion was made by Carl and seconded by Kevin and recorded as carried.

What the court approved are project concurrences and procurement awards; final contracts and construction schedules will follow KYTC procedures and vendor contracting. Hall reminded the court that if a project runs over budget the shortfall “comes off the next year,” and any leftover funds carry into the next cycle.

Votes at a glance: the court recorded motions and carried votes to (1) approve the KYTC District 5 rural-secondary project list (motion: Ed; second: Brad), (2) accept Mago’s asphalt bid with Shelbyville as backup (motion: Bridal; second: Carl), (3) accept the aggregate/rock bid (motion: Ed; second: Brad), (4) accept the Keiko reverse-auction salt award to Morton Salt (motion: Bridal; second: Kevin), and (5) advertise for bids on a dump truck (motion: Carl; second: Kevin). The meeting transcript records each as “all in favor” with the chair stating “motion carries.”