OAK GROVE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – New legislation from Gov. Andy Beshear has secured additional funding for Oak Grove’s large-scale waterline project. According to House Joint Resolution 81, $2 million will be designated to the City of Oak Grove for the Kentucky Route 115 North and 13 Carneal Lane waterline extension and tank.

This overhaul of the waterline system and the creation of a new 500,000-gallon water tower in Oak Grove is being done in conjunction with the development of Buc-ee’s to ensure the city’s infrastructure can hold up to the increased demand.

While the city currently has three water towers, two of which are operational, this new one would be a composite tank on a concrete pedestal, while the other existing tanks in Oak Grove are stand tanks.

Other Kentucky communities to benefit, more funding sources for Oak Grove

After Beshear signed the legislation on April 20, a total of $52 million will be released to improve water systems across rural Kentucky, with nearly $26 million going directly to Martin County. Other recipients include the cities of Elkhorn, Evarts, Liberty, Martin, Oak Grove and Smithland, as well as the Southern Water and Sewer District in McDowell, according to a news release.

“This legislation is important because it will help deliver clean, safe water and modern infrastructure to Kentuckians in rural communities, including Martin County, which has faced challenges for far too long,” said Gov. Beshear.

In 2024, it was originally estimated that the entire waterline project in Oak Grove would cost around $9 million. In February, city officials found out that they were not awarded a $4 million grant application that would go toward the project. Despite the grant setback, on Jan. 23, Congressman James Comer announced that the Consolidated Appropriations recently passed by Congress includes $1 million in federal funding for this project.

State road crews also plan on reshaping the roads around Exit 89 to make room for traffic that Buc-ee’s will bring, which includes constructing an additional bridge and several roundabouts.

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