MAJOR FUNDING SECURED BY THAYER, WEST 

FOR US HIGHWAY 460 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

FRANKFORT, KY (May 15, 2024)—Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, and Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, are pleased to report significant progress and funding allocations for the US Highway 460 improvement project, which promises enhanced safety and increased connectivity between Russell Cave Road and Interstate 75. Thayer and West jointly secured $8.75 million in the biennial road plan for the project's next phases through 2026. Residents of Georgetown and Paris rely on US Highway 460 to commute to and from each city for work, leisure and much more. The route serves as a vital economic artery in the Bluegrass Region.

The project, significantly backed by the Kentucky General Assembly, is poised to enter new phases of development, which will serve the ultimate goal of a safer route for higher traffic volumes between Georgetown and Paris.

This initiative, encompassed within the state's 2024 road plan, has reached a critical milestone with the authorization of right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation. Funding for these preliminary steps has been secured, and construction is scheduled to commence after these phases are completed.

The project, estimated at a remaining cost of $15 million, is a testament to the Kentucky General Assembly's commitment to improving infrastructure and public safety. The remaining construction funds are earmarked for 2025 and 2027. These appropriations underscore the project's importance to the region's economic and social vitality.

This is in addition to $34.5 million in construction funding approved for Russell Cave Road to the US-27 Bypass in Paris between mile markers 1 and 7 in 2021. 

Further details about the project stages include:

  • Right-of-way acquisition plans were completed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and design consultant EA Partners, PLC at the end of 2023. The acquisition of right-of-way has been ongoing this year.

  • Relocation of impacted utilities by various utility companies is being completed this year.

  • Following the completion of right-of-way and utility relocations and with the appropriation included in the 2024 road plan, KYTC will then schedule the projects to be let for construction.

Please visit the project's dedicated website at KYTC District Seven - Scott County US Highway 460 Improvements for ongoing updates and more information.

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Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, represents the 17th Senate District, including Grant and Scott Counties, southern Kenton County, and northwestern Fayette County. He is Senate majority floor leader. Thayer is the longest-serving Republican Senate majority floor leader in Kentucky history. He serves as a member of the Senate committees on Agriculture, Licensing and Occupations, and State and Local Government. As Senate majority floor leader, Thayer is a member of the Legislative Research Commission, the Committee on Committees and the Rules Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee. 

Visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate117.jpg for a high-resolution JPEG file of Thayer.

Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, represents the 27th Senate District, including Bourbon, Fleming, Harrison, Mason, Nicholas, Robertson, and Rowan Counties and part of northern Fayette County. He serves as Senate Education Committee Chair and Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee Chair. West is also a member of the Senate standing committees on Agriculture and a Budget Review Subcommittee on Education member.

Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate127.jpg  for a high-resolution .jpeg of West.

Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for more information on Senate Majority Caucus members and the recently concluded 2024 Legislative Session.

Live legislative coverage is available at KET.org/legislature and via the Legislative Research Commission YouTube channel. Access archived footage of legislative meetings at ket.org/legislature/archives.

Follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also find information on caucus members, as well as view press releases from our office, by visiting KYSenateRepublicans.com.