Groundbreaking for realignment of KY 92 in two counties

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Tom Kenny
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Groundbreaking for realignment of a portion of KY 92 in McCreary and Whitley counties 10-23-18

SOMERSET, Ky. (WTVQ) – Local legislators and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) officials gathered Tuesday for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction to realign a portion of Kentucky Route 92 in McCreary and Whitley counties.

Once the project is complete, drivers will experience a much improved corridor between the two counties and better access to I-75.

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“The realignment of KY 92 received overwhelming support at the local level as a key project identified through the SHIFT prioritization process the Cabinet instituted last year,” said KYTC Secretary Greg Thomas. “We are pleased to see this project continue to move forward and for the nearly eight miles of improvements to safely move people and goods through the region.

The two-lane route which connects the towns of Whitley City and Williamsburg will see a safer, more efficient roadway necessary to accommodate the level of commercial and vehicle traffic projected in the future.

“I am excited to finally see this project begin the last stage of completion. It has been a long time coming,” said Rep. Ken Upchurch. “The economic impact to McCreary County cannot be quantified but we know it opens up all kinds of possibilities for tourism and economic development. I look forward to seeing what the future holds as this gateway is completed.”

Senator Max Wise echoed a similar sentiment of celebration and accomplishment for the upcoming project.

“I am very excited for McCreary County and the entire region,” said Sen. Wise. “I believe the improvements to KY 92 will help tremendously with economic development, job growth and tourism to the region. I was happy to work with my house colleagues in making sure this project stayed in the road plan.”

While adding turn lanes at some intersections, wider shoulders and additional truck climbing lanes will improve mobility and connectivity, eliminating low over-passes will improve safety for commercial trucks.

“It’s been a long time coming, but the groundbreaking for the reconstruction of KY 92 is finally here,” said Rep. Regina Huff. “Projects like these are of vital importance in order for the region to grow and develop. In addition, the reconstruction will provide better and safer access to employment, educational services and health care. For those reasons, it has been worth the wait.”

“I’m thrilled to see the start of this much needed road project on KY 92,” Senator Robert Stivers said. “Whitley County and the entire region will no doubt benefit greatly from this infrastructure upgrade.”

Hinkle Contracting Service, LLC was awarded the $39.2 million project and have recently began clearing work with full construction activities to begin soon. The project is expected to be completed in 2021.

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Tom Kenny
Tom Kenny joined ABC 36 News in June of 2001 as a General Assignment Reporter. A native of Peoria, Illinois, he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Western Illinois University. He currently anchors ABC 36 News at 5pm, 6pm and 11pm. Tom has more than three decades of experience in broadcast journalism. He is the only broadcast journalist in Lexington television history to be honored with a national Edward R. Murrow Award. Tom was recognized for reporting on a story that gave a rare glimpse inside the secretive world of the Federal Witness Protection Program. He has won an Emmy Award for anchoring and another for investigative reporting, exposing the deceit and potential danger of online diploma mills. Tom has ten other Emmy nominations to his credit for investigative and feature reporting. He has won Associated Press Awards for reporting and anchoring. He has won two Addy Awards for excellence in promotional writing. Tom was the first broadcast journalist in Lexington TV history to be awarded the Silver Circle Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. It is one of the highest honors given by NATAS. It recognizes television professionals who have performed distinguished service within the television industry for 25-years or more. Tom was honored for more than his longevity, he was recognized for making an enduring contribution to the vitality of the television industry and for setting high standards of achievement. He was also recognized for giving back to the community as a mentor, educator and volunteer. Tom also has network broadcast experience in radio and television having worked as a sports reporter for ESPN, Sportschannel, NBC Sports and the Breeders’ Cup. He was also the studio host and halftime producer for CBS Radio Sports’ College Football Game of the Week and covered the NFL for One-On-One Radio Sports. Prior to joining WTVQ-TV, Tom was Vice-President of the Houston Astros Minor League baseball team in Lexington. He was part of the original management team that brought professional baseball back to the Bluegrass after a nearly 50-year absence. Tom has lived in Lexington since 1984. In that time, he has been heavily involved with dozens of charity and civic groups, with a special emphasis on helping Veterans. He can be reached at tkenny@wtvq.com. You can also follow Tom on Facebook www.facebook.com/TomKennyABC and Twitter @TomKennyNews. Just click on the links at the top of the page.