CHRISTIAN COUNTY, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – As an extensive road project that includes prolonged closures starts, local leaders discussed how they have continually had issues with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Christian County Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam explained that a recently approved resolution by the Pennyrile Area Development District will help address concerns about the lack of transparency from KYTC.

During the Aug. 11 Christian County Fiscal Court meeting, Gilliam referenced frustrations surrounding the newly started KYTC project at Lovers Lane and Lafayette Road. As of Aug. 10, a full road closure has been initiated at the intersection and is scheduled to last through the end of October.

Gilliam said that during previous conversations with KYTC, he specifically asked them not to start the project during the school year, to not completely shut down the road, and to not have the project coincide with harvest season. As the schedule for the project stands, none of these requests were taken into consideration.

“It’s going to cause several issues for our folks and we apologize for that,” said Gilliam during the meeting. “Everyone just needs to understand that this is just to move the utilities. I’m really, really hoping they’ll get done with that before the Oct. 30 deadline and we can get that road opened back up for the remainder of the fall and the winter and early spring.”

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Second phase of project planned, additional issues

The second phase of the project is scheduled to begin in late March. KY 107 is expected to remain closed through mid-September 2027 while the new roadway is constructed. The goal of the project is to improve the grade and elevation of the intersection to provide better line of sight for motorists and add turning lanes.

Over the next few months in the interim, Gilliam is hoping that they can discuss ways to improve the area based on problems that will likely arise. Other issues he spoke about with KYTC includes no communication around when they will receive previously allocated funds, with Christian County currently owed around $500,000.

As the project begins, Magistrate Russ Guffey said he has requested additional signage around the construction to direct drivers toward the detour and provide additional warnings about the change in traffic pattern while crews are working. He said, “I can’t apologize for the timing enough, this is a KYTC project, and we are at their mercy.”

Flex fund use

At a previous meeting, a representative with KYTC shared that the fiscal court has $320,000 in ‘”flex funds” available for use. The county is able to either put this money toward one of the recommended state road projects or absorb the funds.

At the time magistrates voted to forward the discussion to their road committee, with their recommendation coming back to the fiscal court.

A decision about how these flex funds will be utilized was made during the Aug. 11 meeting, with Gilliam sharing that the recommendation was to absorb the $320,000 and not pursue additional projects on state roads. Magistrate John Bruce said this move allows them to use county money for county roads. The vote passed unanimously.

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