Kentucky Announces Road Safety Awards, Parkway Expansion and I-69 Bridge Plans

Kentucky drivers can expect a mix of enhanced enforcement and major construction projects following a busy slate of announcements from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in August. On Aug. 21 the state recognized dozens of law‑enforcement officers and child‑passenger‑safety advocates during the annual Kentucky Occupant Protection Awards. The ceremony highlighted the lifesaving importance of seat‑belt and child‑car‑seat enforcement; officials noted that buckling up is still the best way to survive a crash. Awards went to police agencies and safety technicians who achieved high seat‑belt usage rates and championed child‑passenger safety programs.

Just a few days earlier, on Aug. 18, Governor Andy Beshear broke ground on the final 13‑mile segment of the Mountain Parkway Expansion near Salyersville. The $753 million project will expand the parkway to four lanes from Campton to Prestonsburg, connecting Eastern Kentucky more efficiently with the rest of the state. The expansion is expected to improve safety and reduce travel times for freight and commuters alike. Another major interstate project advanced on Aug. 14 when Kentucky and Indiana signed a bi‑state agreement to construct the Interstate 69 Ohio River Bridge between Henderson and Evansville. The new I‑69 bridge is a key piece of the future interstate corridor linking Canada to Mexico and will relieve congestion on U.S. 41.

Safety is also the focus of a new automated speed‑enforcement initiative launched Aug. 12. The pilot program will deploy camera‑equipped vans in designated work zones to capture license plates of drivers exceeding the speed limit. Violations will carry a warning during the initial 60‑day period before fines are assessed. According to KYTC, speed‑related crashes and injuries increase when lanes are narrowed or shifted for construction, so the agency hopes the cameras will encourage motorists to slow down. Finally, Kentucky is joining the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign from Aug. 13 through Sept. 1 to crack down on impaired driving. Troopers and local police will conduct checkpoints and saturation patrols statewide. There are currently no DMV office closures or driver‑licensing changes associated with these announcements, but drivers should heed the new speed‑enforcement measures, always wear seat belts, and plan for possible delays in work zones.