Court approves 80/20 bridge resolution for Spring Branch and backs water-interconnect grant application

Letcher County Fiscal Court approved a resolution with the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid to pursue an 80/20 state-local bridge grant for Spring Branch Bridge. Under the program, the state can provide funding up to $100,000, with the county providing the 20% local match. Court members said the Spring Branch structure has a lowered weight limit and restricted school-bus travel, making it a priority for the 80/20 program.

Separately, the court discussed and reaffirmed a water‑redundancy grant application intended to interconnect county and municipal water systems (Jenkins, Neon, Whitesburg) so that, in an emergency, water can be redirected between systems. The presiding official noted the forthcoming Olby water plant will increase county supply and strengthen redundancy once in service. The court approved the related motion to proceed with the application steps and associated documentation on the record.

Members framed the two actions as complementary investments in transportation and essential services infrastructure that improve emergency response and daily operations.