Magistrate outlines Bracken Countytransportation priorities for state funding

Magistrate Craig Miller presented a list of Bracken County transportation priorities the court plans to share with state lawmakers and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Miller said the county has more than 30 identified projects in the cabinet's scoring system and explained the local process by which the Buffalo Trace Area Development District and District 6 compile and score projects for state consideration. "Bracken County has 30 identified 30 plus identified projects through KTC and District 6," he said, describing how the program narrows and boosts projects.

He listed top-priority items that have appeared in state scoring, including spot improvements and turn-lane projects and a large resurfacing project on Route 8 that is estimated in the transportation plan at about $44.5 million for a specific stretch. The magistrate also highlighted local safety priorities — resurfacing segments, high-friction treatment at a dangerous curve, caution lights at a state intersection, and long-standing requests for turn lanes at county-road intersections.

Miller asked the court to review the list and submit any additional safety concerns before he forwards the county's priorities to Senator Fromire and Representative William Lawrence.

Why it matters: The county's list will inform discussions with the Transportation Cabinet and state legislators; county officials said the scoring and district process ultimately determines whether projects receive state funding.

Next steps: Miller said he will send the compiled list to Senator Fromire the next day and invited members to provide further input before he sends the final packet.