Home » Grant County opens $3.8 million Barnes Road widening project

Grant County opens $3.8 million Barnes Road widening project

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 30, 2013) – Gov. Steve Beshear joined local officials today to ceremonially open the Barnes Road/KY 1560  widening and realignment project in Williamstown — a $3.8 million investment to improve safety and mobility along the busy corridor.

“As Grant County continues to grow, we must accommodate the influx of traffic in this community,” said Beshear.  “This improved route provides better access to St. Elizabeth Hospital and other businesses along the highway.”

Crews expanded and realigned a 1-mile section of Barnes Road from the east side of the Interstate 75 interchange to the railroad tracks at Arnie Risen Boulevard.  This section includes three-lanes with a continuous center turning lane, improved shoulders and curb and gutter improvements.

“An investment in our roads is an investment in our citizens,” said state Sen. Damon Thayer, of Georgetown. “Keeping our roadways safe must be a priority; this project demonstrates the state’s commitment to achieving that goal.  This project has been in the road plan for quite some time, and I am glad that local right of way issues were resolved and that the construction phase is now complete.”

“Grant County has experienced tremendous growth in the last few years, which has raised concerns about the safety of roads like Barnes Road that were not built to handle the increasing traffic load,” said state Rep. Brian Linder, of Dry Ridge. “Today’s opening marks a milestone I’ve pushed for since my days serving on the Grant County Fiscal Court. I am hopefully the newly expanded highway will help draw more business and more opportunity into our county.”

“This road completes the interchange and opens the opportunity for new industry and tourism,” said former Rep. Royce Adams, of Dry Ridge, who championed this project during his tenure in the Kentucky House of Representatives. “This route gives better access to St. Elizabeth Hospital, Grant County library and the county jail.”

Barrett Paving Materials Inc., of Cincinnati, began construction in spring 2012 and completed the project in August 2013.