HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (Aug. 3, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear ceremonially broke ground on a project to achieve a long-held goal for the economic development of Western Kentucky – another interstate route designation – by bringing a portion of the Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway up to interstate highway standards.
“Western Kentucky’s economic momentum is strong, and today’s announcement that we are one step closer to seeing the current parkway with interstate shields on it is a signal that Kentucky is open and ready for business and industry growth,” Gov. Beshear said during a groundbreaking ceremony in Hopkinsville that included a host of area leaders. “This work is an exciting milestone for all who have advocated for this interstate conversion, and it shows the resilience of the Pennyrile region and the determination of people here to rebuild from the devastation of the tornadoes of 2021.”
Continuing to grow Kentucky’s already booming economy, particularly the manufacturing sector has been among Gov. Beshear’s highest priorities, and he has made strategic improvements in Kentucky’s transportation infrastructure to achieve that goal. The payoff in the Pennyrile region has been 46 separate announcements of industrial locations or expansions at a combined investment of $1.67 billion and creating nearly 1,600 jobs.
Chief among them was an announcement by Ascend Elements, which produces advanced, sustainable battery materials from recycled lithium ion batteries, that it will build its largest U.S. plant in Hopkinsville, creating 250 jobs and making a Phase I investment of $310 million. The company said the Hopkinsville operation potentially will grow to a nearly $1 billion operation with 400 jobs.
Work will begin this month on a package of improvements to the 34-mile section of the parkway between Interstate Highways 24 and 69 in Christian and Hopkins counties. Upon completion, which is expected in November 2024, the Federal Highway Administration could then add the roadway to the Interstate Highway System as Interstate Highway 169.
Satellite navigation systems favor interstate routes, and proximity to an interstate is seen as crucial to industry. Thus, the conversion of the Breathitt/Pennyrile Parkway to an interstate has long been a priority for local government and economic development officials, and the parkway already bears “Future I-169” shield signs. The final designation of I-169, connecting with existing Interstates 24 and 69, would give the region an interstate corridor from the Kentucky-Tennessee border to the Ohio River.
Taylor Hayes, president of the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, said much of the credit for the progress made to date belonged to John Mahre, a former chamber president and board member of the Pennyrile Area Development District, who died in July 2022.
“There are many business leaders and elected officials who began advocating for the interstate designation and then for funding nearly 15 years ago. One man in particular we need to honor and remember is John Mahre, who recognized the positive impact such a designation would bring to the area,” Hayes said.
Pennyrile Area Development District Director Jason Vincent said the development of I-169 “has been a top priority of the Pennyrile Area Development District’s Regional Transportation Committee for a number of years” under Mahre’s leadership.
“John knew the impact I-169 would have, not only for Christian County but the entire Pennyrile region. We appreciate the dedication and persistence by federal, state and local officials that has brought I-169 closer to becoming reality,” Vincent said.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet awarded a $13.9 million contract to Scotty’s Contracting to perform the following overpass and interchange work:
- Increase the vertical bridge clearance heights at three overpasses (Morris Lake Road, Woodburn Hay Road, McIntosh Chapel Road) by removing pavement under the overpass and replacing the surface.
- Reconstruct bridge railings on the parkway over Drakes Creek.
- Improve the Exit 30 interchange that serves U.S. Highway 41 southbound traffic and parkway northbound traffic. Crews will upgrade the wayward signing, reconstruct the bridge railing, correct ramp deficiencies and remove the rolled curb.
- Improve the Exit 33 interchange, which currently has a conventional diamond configuration. Crews will increase taper lengths and ramp access on U.S. Highway 62 that don’t meet interstate access requirements.
- Improve the Exit 34 interchange that connects I-69/Western Kentucky Parkway and the Pennyrile Parkway near Nortonville. Crews will increase taper lengths of the southbound on-ramp.
- I-169 signage will be installed at the completion of the project, pending Federal Highway Administration approval.
The project builds on a previous $24 million rehab project on a section of the parkway in Christian County that increased clearances of various underpasses. A future project to improve the KY 1682 interchange on the northern edge of Hopkinsville is being developed.
“Safety is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re excited this project will correct some deficiencies that will make it easier for large trucks to clear overpasses and navigate ramps,” Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray said.
In June, the Federal Highway Administration and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet signed an Interstate Conversion Agreement authorizing Kentucky to advance construction activities. The parkway was congressionally designated as future I-169 in May 2017.
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