KENTUCKY —  Gov. Andy Beshear announced plans on Monday for the final section of the Mountain Parkway Expansion in Eastern Kentucky, a four-lane parkway from Winchester to far Eastern Kentucky.

Beshear also announced the first phase of a $4.1 million Dawkins Line Rail Trail project will begin soon.

What You Need To Know

  • For the Mountain Parkway Expansion, the plan is to build 13 additional miles of the Mountain Parkway in eastern Magoffin County through Floyd County

  • Beshear also announced $4,113,381 in funding to complete Phase 1 of a project that improves trail mobility for cyclists, hikers and horseback riders and stimulates tourism in eastern Kentucky

  • The Dawkins Line Rail Trail is a former railway, built in the early 1900s, reopened in 2013 as the longest rail-to-trail in the state, with 36 miles in length

For the Mountain Parkway Expansion, the plan is to build 13 additional miles of the Mountain Parkway in eastern Magoffin County through Floyd County.

“I am proud to say we are delivering on plans to complete a four-lane Mountain Parkway. Expanding the parkway to far Eastern Kentucky has been talked about since Gov. Bert Combs broke ground on the original parkway in 1963,” Beshear said. “Today, we are once again standing with Eastern Kentucky by building a parkway that is crucial to Appalachia’s strong economic future.”

The Parkway Expansion project began in 2014, and since then, nearly 32 miles of parkway widening have been completed or are under construction. The Magoffin-Floyd section would extend from U.S. Highway 460 in Salyersville to Kentucky Highway 404 in Prestonsburg along a cross-country route, according to Beshear's office. It's expected to cause fewer disruptions and property impacts to homes and businesses versus expanding the parkway along the current Kentucky Highway 114 corridor.

To finish it off, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and partners are collecting more detailed environmental and geotechnical information from the cross-country corridor, including performing surveys, archaeological and historical studies and biological research.

Beshear also announced $4,113,381 in funding to complete Phase 1 of a project that improves trail mobility for cyclists, hikers and horseback riders and stimulates tourism in eastern Kentucky.

The Dawkins Line Rail Trail is a former railway, built in the early 1900s. It reopened in 2013 as the longest rail-to-trail in the state with 36 miles in length. 

“By next summer, residents and tourists will enjoy the newly paved trail that expands access for more users to enjoy the scenic views,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “We look forward to kicking off construction next month and advancing Phase 2 in 2023 to close a gap in the trail near the Carver Tunnel.”

 

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