Paving Project set to begin in Eastern Kentucky with local leaders' support

Knott County officials are gearing up for significant road improvements, with paving set to begin on Monday, April 23, 2024, if preparations proceed smoothly. During the recent Fiscal Court meeting, discussions highlighted the urgency of completing necessary road preparations, including tile changes, before the paving starts. The project is expected to take approximately three to four weeks, contingent on the availability of the crew, which has faced challenges in the past due to larger state or federal projects taking precedence.

Judge Executive, who led the meeting, expressed optimism that the crew would remain on-site until the completion of the current projects. A comprehensive list of roads has been provided to the crew to ensure a focused approach to the work ahead.

In addition to road improvements, the meeting also addressed the EK Safe and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Local leaders, including Judge Noble and representatives from surrounding counties, recently met with the Speaker of the House to advocate for the EK Safe funds, which are crucial for supporting Eastern Kentucky's recovery and development. Although the proposed budget initially included $70 million for EK Safe, recent changes have raised concerns among local officials about securing adequate funding for their communities.

The discussions at the meeting underscore the county's commitment to enhancing infrastructure and securing necessary resources for ongoing development efforts. As paving begins next week, the community looks forward to improved road conditions and continued advocacy for essential funding.