MCDANIEL SECURES TRANSFORMATIVE FUNDING FOR NORTHERN KENTON COUNTY

Transformative funding supports further Brent Spence Bridge progress, Commonwealth Center for Biomedical Excellence, and much more

FRANKFORT, KY (April 15, 2024)—The 23rd Senate District in northern Kenton County will receive significant support for local projects and road improvements thanks to the advocacy of Senate Budget Chair Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights.

As provisions of House Bill (HB) 1, which leverages $2.7 billion from the state’s budget reserve trust fund (BRTF), Kenton County benefits from nearly $138 million for the following projects.

  • $125 million total across the biennium to plan, design, and construct a Commonwealth Center for Biomedical Excellence in Covington in partnership with Northern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky,

  • $6 million to the Kenton County Fiscal Court for SparkHaus,

  • $5 million to the Kenton County Fiscal Court for Brownfield site readiness,

  • $1.25 million to the Covington Life Science Center for equipment and facilities, and

  • $500,000 to the City of Covington for Covington Partners for violence prevention efforts.

As a result of a Senate-led proposal, HB 1 also included $450 million in the state’s two-year road plan, HB 266, to support high-growth regions such as Kenton County in the state’s golden triangle.

In the biennial road plan, McDaniel helped secure more than $807 million for Kenton County for planning, designing, rights-of-way obtainment, utility work, and construction of various projects, including further progress on the Brent Spence Bridge (BSB) megaproject. Appropriated across the biennium for the BSB is $358.4 million in federal grant funding, $146.6 million of the $250 million from the general fund appropriated in 2022, and $150 million in authorized bond money for a combined total of $655 million. As of March 2024, $227.5 million has been authorized for final design work and right-of-way acquisition. Find further details on the project by CLICKING HERE. 

Additional Kenton County projects, specifically those that fall within McDaniel’s 23rd Senate District in central and northern Kenton County, include

  • $30.63 million to reconstruct KY Highway 236 (Stevenson Road) from Alice Street to Jacqueline Drive. This project received general funds due to the Senate’s proposed $450 million from the state’s BRTF in HB 1. The project is in conjunction with the county and City of Erlanger’s sewer and water line project along the road.

  • More than $21.4 million to support four bridge projects in the county.

  • $12.5 million to improve safety and reduce congestion on KY Highway 17 at the Interstate 275 interchange,

  • $8 million to improve alignment with Buttermilk Pike, Orphanage Road, and US Highway 25. 

  • $2.19 million to rehabilitate and reconstruct US Highway 25 from Buttermilk Pike to Interstate 75 (mile point 8.58 to 9.86), and

  • $2.06 million to resurface and repair the median on KY Highway 17 from Pioneer Park to Kyles Lane.

Additional notable Kenton County projects include $35.76 million to improve safety and reduce congestion on KY Highway 536 from Williamswood Road/Calvary Drive to KY Highway 17, and $9 million to improve safety and reduce congestion on KY Highway 1303 from KY Highway 536 to Beechgrove Elementary. Both of these projects will receive general fund support.

Furthermore, House Joint Resolution (HJR) 91 includes scheduled projects and anticipated needs for the remaining four years of the six-year highway construction plan. Find HJR 91 HERE. Kenton County-specific projects can be found on pages 128-133.

Find budget-related bills, resolutions, and much more online at Legislature.ky.gov. The 2024 Legislative Session concludes on Monday, April 15. 

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Senator Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, represents the 23rd Senate District in northern Kenton County. McDaniel is Senate Appropriations and Revenue chair and serves as an ex-officio member of each budget review subcommittee. He is a Senate Licensing and Occupations, and State and Local Government committee member. Additionally, McDaniel serves as a Public Pension Oversight Board member. 

Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate123.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of McDaniel.

Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for more information on Senate Majority Caucus members and the 2024 Legislative Session, such as committee schedules, membership, legislation, and more.

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