FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 5, 2025) — The following is a statement from Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, and Sen. Brandon Storm, R-London, regarding the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) acceptance of a construction bid to widen the next segment of Interstate-75 to the Tennessee state line.
“The I-75 corridor is the lifeline of southern and eastern Kentucky, and this project moves us one step closer to completing its transformation into a six-lane highway from the Tennessee border to Lexington. Today’s contract award marks a major victory for our region. It will increase capacity, improve traffic safety, and unlock long-term economic growth across Laurel County, Whitley County, and the surrounding area.
“We’re proud of the role the General Assembly played in advancing this project through every phase of the process. The legislature prioritized this widening effort in the 2024 Six-Year Highway Plan by committing more than $100 million to fund right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, and construction. Without that support, this milestone would not have been possible.
“We thank Congressman Hal Rogers, our federal delegation, our Senate Transportation Chair Jimmy Higdon and his House counterpart Ken Upchurch, and KYTC Transportation Secretary Jim Gray and his entire team for their continued partnership. This kind of investment doesn't happen without collaboration at every level of government, and this moment reflects what’s possible when local leaders, lawmakers, and agencies work together to deliver for Kentucky families and businesses."
___
On Thursday, KYTC accepted a bid of $147.6 million from ATS Construction and Kay & Kay Contracting to widen a 5.9-mile stretch of I-75 from mile point 23.2 in Whitley County to mile point 28.9 in Laurel County, just north of US Highway 25 near Corbin.
The project was funded through a combination of federal National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) dollars and a 20 percent match from Kentucky’s road fund. It was programmed and prioritized by the General Assembly in the state’s 2024 Six-Year Highway Plan, which allocated more than $107 million across fiscal years 2024 through 2029.
Once this section is completed, only 23 miles remain to complete Kentucky’s six-lane I-75 corridor to the Tennessee border. Construction is expected to begin by this fall and support hundreds of jobs while strengthening a key transportation and commerce route for the entire region.
Find the bid online by clicking here. Follow news updates on the project from KYTC District 11 at transportation.ky.gov or by clicking here.
A regional press event celebrating this milestone will be held in London at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 12. More information on the event will be announced soon.
###
Sen. Brandon J. Storm, R-London, represents the 21st Senate District, including Casey, Laurel, Lincoln, and Rockcastle Counties. Before being named chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he served as vice chair for the Senate Transportation Committee, notably during the 2024-2026 budget cycle.
Sen. Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, represents the 25th Senate District, including Clay, Jackson, Knox, McCreary, Owsley, and Whitley Counties. As of January 1, Stivers has served as Kentucky Senate president for over a decade. He first assumed the position in 2013, succeeding former Senate President David Williams. As the Senate President, he is co-chair of the Legislative Research Commission. Stivers is also a member of the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary.
Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for information on Senate Majority Caucus members, legislative committees, and additional resources.
Lawmakers returned to Frankfort on June 3 to start the 2025 Interim. During this period, committees will meet to study policy issues, review implementation of recently passed legislation, and begin evaluating proposals for the 2026 Regular Session, which begins Tuesday, January. 6.
The full 2025 Interim Calendar is available here. A weekly schedule with meeting times, topics, and agendas can be viewed at legislature.ky.gov/LegislativeCalendar.
Live coverage of interim legislative meetings is available at KET.org/legislature and on the LRC YouTube channel.
You can follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky. For additional member information and press releases, visitKYSenateRepublicans.com.