CALVERT CITY, Ky. – Governor Steve Beshear yesterday announced plans for two transportation projects that will enhance one of the great public assets of the Commonwealth – Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park.
One project is an enhancement and beautification of U.S. 62 and its interchange with Interstate 24/I-69, including addition of a raised, landscaped median to form a boulevard to the entrance to the park. The other project involves construction of a bicycle-pedestrian path from the park to the interchange.
“We will have a boulevard gateway to Kentucky Dam Village – a tremendous asset for the park, its thousands of visitors and for the citizens of Calvert City,” Gov. Beshear said at a news conference with state and local leaders. “This project continues the substantial progress that we have made to improve transportation infrastructure throughout the Jackson Purchase. When it is completed, its benefits will be enjoyed for generations.”
“These projects are ideal additions to the route leading into Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park and will do a great job of helping showcase to guests why this park is a crown jewel within our system,” said state Rep. Will Coursey, of Benton. “I’m proud to support this work and want to thank Gov. Beshear and the Transportation Cabinet for helping to make this possible.”
In addition to the enhancement of U.S. 62 and the I-24/I-69 interchange, Calvert City, by agreement with KYTC, will construct a bicycle-pedestrian path to run alongside U.S. 62 for about 1.5 miles from the state resort park to the interchange.
It eventually will connect with a path into Calvert City that is part of the city’s long-range plan and add yet another link to a much longer, regional, multi-use path across the “Western Waterlands” of the Purchase area.
“The Governor has hit a home run,” Calvert City Mayor Lynn Jones said. “The addition of a walking/biking trail extending from Calvert City’s Memorial Park into Kentucky Dam Village is brilliant. Key to the future success of this project is Governor Beshear’s foresight in a regional concept for the project. The trail provides opportunities, once the Kentucky Dam work is completed, for trail expansion into Livingston County and beyond into the Land Between the Lakes. It is the regional tourism development opportunities that make the project most exciting. This change is going to be so good.”
Marshall County Judge-Executive Chyrill Miller also welcomed Gov. Beshear’s announcement.
“The beautification and pedestrian/bicycle projects coming to Calvert City and Kentucky Dam Village will be a wonderful welcome for those coming to Kentucky Lake and certainly a treasured amenity for our citizens,” Judge Miller said.
“The many trails that we have developed during my administration – not only in the Jackson Purchase but all across our Commonwealth – hold tangible benefit for the health, safety and quality of life for all who live, work and visit here,” Gov. Beshear said.
(Image Source: Kentucky Dam Village)