FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., announced over $13.8 million in funding for pedestrian safety projects that will go to 14 different cities and counties across the state. The governor said it was part of his goal to build better transportation systems that improve the lives of Kentuckians.

“Kentuckians deserve great, accessible options as they travel to work, school, church and more,” Beshear said. “That’s why we’ve invested funding to improve local roads across the commonwealth, and it’s also why we’re investing in bicycle and walking paths.” The incumbent governor added it would improve pedestrian and bike safety, while helping drivers by decreasing traffic on the roads.

The funding is from the federal Transportation Alternatives Program, known as TAP, which reimburses local governments for 80% of the cost of facilities that support non-motorized transportation.

TAP projects commonly include bicycle and pedestrian pathways, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Safe Routes to School program and wildlife mitigation. TAP awards during Gov. Beshear’s administration now total approximately $36 million. The program is administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Department of Rural and Municipal Aid.

Some featured projects include:

• Over $4.4 million for the city of Winchester to help with construction of their Main Street High Side project.
• Over $3.1 million for the 16th Street Sidewalk Extension Project in Murray. This proposed new sidewalk will safely connect the Murray State University and Murray Elementary School campuses to multiple neighborhoods and churches.
• $800,000 to Lexington for the Armstrong Mill Shared Use Path project, which will create a bike/pedestrian path along Armstrong mill Road.
• Over $1.4 million will go to Maysville to build a new sidewalk connecting West 2nd Street to Limestone Landing and the Maysville River Park.
• Over $1.3 million to the city of Loretto to complete the second phase of a larger sidewalk along Kentucky Highway 52 to its intersection with Kentucky Highway 49.

A full list of awards is available online.