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Ky. Lawmakers at Work on State Road Budget

Youry Ermoshkin, 123rf Stock Photo

As Kentucky lawmakers this week work to deliver a two year state budget, another spending plan will also be high on the priority list.   Legislators also have to finalize a budget for the state's roads.  

The two year road plan sets out strategies for new projects and highway maintenance.

 Kentuckians for Better Transportation Director Juva Barber says falling gas prices over many months means fewer dollars for projects. 

“And it could be even fewer projects because all the other costs associated with running the cabinet, with projects, whatever, could increase over time,” said Barber.

Lower gas prices are popular with motorists, but it means less gas tax revenues.  

And because of that, Senate Transportation Committee Chair Ernie Harris anticipates less construction over the next couple of years. 

“The administration is gonna have to prioritize what roads are built and it will probably be the ones that have already been started with right of way and utility movement and then proceeding on to construction,” explained Harris.

Harris stresses it’s important to keep up with road maintenance.  He says a rigorous maintenance program is needed to better ensure safe travel along Kentucky roads. 

Final decisions about the transportation budget are not expected until late in the session. ?

Stu Johnson is a reporter/producer at WEKU in Lexington, Kentucky.
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