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Subscribe“Pause-50” plan aims to restore funding back to normal operating levels
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Secretary Greg Thomas today testified before the Interim Joint Committee on Transportation about the condition of the Road Fund cash balance—the funding source for all Cabinet operations including construction, maintenance and general support.
In his testimony, Sec. Thomas detailed the seriousness of a low Road Fund cash balance and introduced the Cabinet’s “Pause-50” plan to restore funding back to normal operating levels.
“For the first time in recent history, the Cabinet faces a low Road Fund cash balance, which compromises our ability to authorize new state road projects over the next biennium,” said Sec. Thomas. “The “Pause-50” approach is designed to slow or delay the starts of new projects so that we can pay current expenditures, recoup lost revenue and rebuild our funding base.”
Based on the KYTC’s cash management plan, the Cabinet strives to have a balance of at least $100 million at any given time. The last time the cash balance neared zero was in 2004 when it hit $30 million.
Consequently, the Cabinet will implement the “Pause-50” plan by halting the starts of new state-funded projects in all phases, which includes design, right of way/utilities, and construction for the first year of the biennium; and in the second year, aim for a goal of $50 million to allocate on state-funded projects starts.
In essence, the Cabinet will “pause” adding new state-funded projects for the first year in the biennium. For the second year, the Cabinet anticipates the availability of $50 million for state-funded projects starts. The dollar amount could be higher or lower depending on actual expenditures of current projects and the flow of state revenue funding.
In March, Sec. Thomas gave legislators a brief overview of the situation and identified several critical factors that have contributed to the low cash balance—mainly, overspending with limited funds.
State spending has greatly exceeded revenues since Fiscal Year 2014. Road Fund revenues totaled $4.5 billion over FY 2014-2016. Over the same period, expenses totaled $5.035 billion, exceeding revenues by $498 million; meaning that the start of new state funded projects must be delayed in order to meet payment of current expenditures as well as restoring the $100 million cash balance threshold. Continue reading
Motorists reminded to buckle up, enforcement heightened through Memorial Day
The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) are reminding motorists to buckle up as law enforcement agencies throughout the state join the nationwide Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization May 23 through June 5.
“Every day, unbuckled motorists are losing their lives in motor vehicle crashes,” said KOHS Executive Director Bill Bell. “As we approach Memorial Day weekend and the summer vacation season, we want those traveling our roadways to do the one thing that could save them in a crash: buckle up.”
There were 761 total highway fatalities in Kentucky in 2015, with 588 killed in motor vehicles. Of those 588 fatalities, 358 (61 percent) were unrestrained. Six of those motor vehicle fatalities occurred over the Memorial Day holiday. None were wearing a seat belt.
“Clearly this is an indication that people are not taking the law seriously, or they’re just not aware of the huge risk being taken by not buckling up,” said Bell.
Kentucky has a primary seat belt law, meaning everyone is required to buckle up while in a moving vehicle.
“We will be out in force – day and night – ticketing anyone not wearing a seat belt,” said KSP Sgt. Michael Webb. “Drivers must remember that under Kentucky’s law, you are responsible for making sure all of your passengers are properly restrained.”
This year’s campaign, funded by a federal grant through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has a special emphasis on pickup trucks. Continue reading
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is ready to move forward with the next phase of asphalt pavement replacement on US 31W/Dixie Highway and Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14) advises drivers to be aware of lane configuration changes as the project moves north.
“This weekend the repaving crews will be moving the work zone north of Bethany Lane to Valley Station Road, so there will be some adjustments for drivers,” says Fowler.
The crews are wrapping up work on Dixie Highway between Stonegate Manor Drive and Bethany Lane which began in mid- August.
According to KYTC, the new lane shifts will begin after 9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2nd and the new traffic pattern will be in place by 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. This phase of construction is scheduled for completion by mid-November.
Councilwoman Fowler was instrumental in working with State lawmakers to get this $14.5 million contract for pavement replacement on US 31W underway.
“Everyone should understand this is long overdue and drivers need to be patient,” says Fowler. “So far the community has responded well to the changes caused by the repaving work with no major issues, and my hope is that continues as we move the project forward.”
According to KYTC the Project is divided into four phases:
- Stonegate Manor Drive to Bethany Lane (mile points 6.6 to 7.7)
- Bethany Lane to Valley Station Road (mile points 7.7 to 8.6)
- Valley Station Road to West Pages Lane (mile points 8.6 to 10.5)
- West Pages Lane to Greenwood Road (mile points 10.5 to 11.7)
Contract crews are removing the existing asphalt, installing the intermediate layer and repaving the roadway in each section before moving to the next one.
There may be adjustments may depending on weather or any other unforeseen delays. Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Motorists can also get traffic information for the District 5 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5 and www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict5
Work is moving right along on the Ohio River Bridges project at the Downtown Crossing site. With that work comes changing traffic patterns that could delay your daily commute to work or throw a wrench in your summer travel plans. Don’t get caught off guard by these changes; use the map below for traffic updates and be sure to visit the Getting Around page for more details on the current and future traffic changes.
Red: closed to traffic.
Green: lane restrictions, traffic can still get through.
Light Blue: partial lane closures with flagger stopping traffic intermittently.
Blue: site of new bridge under construction.
