Madisonville, Kentucky (April 29, 2005)- Just over 100 Union and Henderson County residents attended a public meeting in Waverly Thursday night to review plans for the new U.S. 60 four-lane between Morganfield and Henderson. About 150 attended a similar meeting in Corydon Tuesday night. Engineers with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Department of Highways were joined by consultants working on the project to answer questions and seek public comment.
According to District Two Transportation Engineering Branch Manager for Pre-Construction Everett Green, these two public meetings were not mandated by law, but were scheduled to update the public on changes since meetings in December of 2001.
"We are seeking public input on three routes originally considered and a new route based on suggestions we've received from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Federal Highway Administration officials based on citizen input from our earlier public meetings, " Green said. "We want to give all residents of the area plenty of opportunity to share their thoughts on all aspects of this new road."
The second of the two meetings was scheduled for the Knights of Columbus Hall in Waverly. Engineers and consultants were on hand from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. both nights to answer questions and receive comments.
To make it easier for residents to share their thoughts, highway officials hired a stenographer to be available for those who desired to make oral statements. Comment sheets were provided to those who wanted to write out their comments on the spot, or mail in comments later.
"Anyone who was unable to attend these meetings is welcomed to come to the district office in Madisonville to review the maps and displays and make comments for the record at that time" Green said. "If you own property in the project area or you travel U.S. 60 between Morganfield and Henderson, this project directly affects your life and the Transportation Cabinet urges your participation."
Written statements will be accepted for a period of thirty (30) days after the public information meetings.
"After reviewing the comments received during the public meetings, the project team that includes the Transportation Cabinet, Federal Highway Administration officials, and their consultants will use the information to determine the best route for the new road," Green said. "After the environmental and engineering studies are complete an additional hearing will be scheduled."
Maps and other exhibits will be available for public viewing from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time for thirty (30) days at the Kentucky Department of Highways District Two Office at 1840 North Main Street in Madisonville. Written statements may be addressed to C. D. Palmer, Environmental Coordinator, KYTC P.O. Box 600, Madisonville, KY 42431.
All recorded and written statements will become part of the official record. Once compiled, the summary of these meetings and other supporting documentation will be made available for public review. Special arrangements will be made for anyone with disabilities who wants to make a comment or review plans.
The Kentucky Six-Year Highway Plan contains projects to reconstruct U.S. 60 from the Morganfield Bypass in Union County to the KY 425 Bypass in Henderson County with bypasses around Waverly and Corydon. The 15.4-mile U.S. 60 four-lane will likely be built in five sections at an estimated cost of $91.75 million.
