Think about the young people killed on the Winchester/Spout Springs Roads!

Take a 14 mile trip from Irvine to Clay City or a 27 mile trip from Irvine to Winchester. Many young people have died on this dangerous road. Yet nothing is done about it. We don't want more young people to die on a road that isn't safe enough to handle the traffic volume. These roads aren't safe. More people shouldn't have to die. Other counties get new roads. Look at the new roads built in Martin, Morgan and other counties. Estill County gets shafted and her people don't care. This road is an emergency! There is no need for Frankfort to put this road on the back burner! Construction needs to start NOW!!!

Powell County and access to Richmond/EKU

If you live in Stanton or Clay City, improved access to Estill County is also important. The trip from Clay City to Richmond is closer via KY 89& 82 than going from Clay City to Richmond via KY 627 through Winchester. Powell Countians commute to EKU in Richmond KY. The closest route from Richmond to the Mt. Parkway includes KY 52 E, KY 89 N and KY 82 E. In other words, Madison and Powell countians have an interest in an improved KY 89 and 82! Think of the additional through traffic that would come into Irvine and Estill County if the road from Irvine to Clay City was completely rebuilt!!

If you live in Richmond and love to go to the Red River Gorge, you have an interest in improving this dangerous road! School buses from Madison, Garrard, Boyle County etc. visiting a ball team on the Mt. Parkway communities would find a trip through Irvine would cut off some distance.

So why is there no committee in Estill County to improve these dangerous roads? Why aren't local people and politicians putting the pressure on Frankfort to rebuild these roads? Why? Why should more young people die on a road that isn't safe for today's traffic? Why? Why does Estill County struggle when this road could solve many local economic problems? Why?

Trucks from Smith Power Station Trapp KY

http://www.ekpc.com/smith.html
With upgrades to the Smith Power Station at Trapp KY, increased trucking will take place along the Irvine-Winchester Road. Traveling from Trapp to the Mountain Parkway, a truck would drive south to Hargett on KY 89 and then east on KY 82. The Spout Springs and Winchester Roads aren't wide enough to safely handle additional trucking. I hope the expansion of the power station will force Frankfort to spend more money to upgrade these roads.

It could be your son, daughter, grandchild or other relative

Every year or two, an Estill Countian or a visitor will be slain while driving down the Winchester Road. Yet unless someone has a direct connection to the deceased traveler, most will only shrug it off. When you drive from Irvine to Hargett, you are taking a chance that you may never live again. Many people have been killed along this dangerous road. Yet few local people are trying to do something about it. A road without shoulders and guardrailes in places shouldn't be a main road from a town to a 4 lane parkway.

Local papers should run editorials about KY 89-82

I encourage the Estill Tribune and Citezin's Voice and Times to run articles about the dangers of the trip from Irvine to Clay City. If enough pressure was put on the Department of Transportation, they would yield under pressure. Explain to me why KY 205 was built from West Liberty to the Mt. Parway or KY 599 was built from West Liberty to Morehead? I wonder if Sen. Blevins had anything to do with the project?

The local media needs to focus on community problems. It is easy to reprint an AP article about something of state or national importance. But it would be nice to see the local media bring certain community concerns and issues into public discussion.

Imagine if the local papers did an article listing names and pictures of those who have been killed between Irvine and Clay City in automobile accidents. Imagine if this series ran for several weeks and involved pictures, stories from family members etc..

As long as Estill Countians don't demand their fair share in new highway construction, the money will be spent elsewhere. And show me another county of 15, 000 people with highways as antiquated as those in Estill County! Yet we say nothing. In most cases, we haven't even thought about the transportation problems. Maybe many of us haven't traveled to other communities to see the nice new highways built there.

Local media, how about feature stories about community problems such as the horrible road conditions between Irvine and Hargett? I remember the editorials demanding a new bridge in the 1980s but this road is more important to the future of Estill County!

Dear Tom Jensen, state senator

Dear Mr. Jensen,
If you read this blog, please consider the following:

Estill County has been shafted when it comes to dollars spent on new highway construction. London has I 75, Daniel Boone Parkway, a newly rebuilt KY 30 and a 4 lane 80. Plus you Laurel Countians will soon get I 66.

Yet Estill Countians have to have such outdated highways as KY 89 and 82 north of Irvine. Our roads are unsafe, outdated and such roads hinder our economic progress. Take a trip from Irvine north to Clay City and ask yourself "Is this road safe enough and modern enough?" I don't think people in Laurel COunty would be satisfied to have a main highway artery to be as crooked and unsafe.

Mr. Jensen, you represent Estill County and it is your responsibility to make sure that pressure is put on the state highway department to see to it that this new section of road becomes a reality.

Estill County hasn't had a new road from Irvine to a neighboring county seat in over 4 decades. Don't you think it is time that a new road is built between Irvine and the Mt. Parkway? Don't you think these dangerous roads without shoulders should become history? The nasty curves should be straightened and the blind spots removed? We lose one or two young people annually to this bloody road and this slaughter needs to stop NOW!!!

Dear Rep. Ted Edmonds of Jackson KY

Dear Mr. Edmonds,
Estill County needs a new road from Irvine to Clay City KY. I am sure you have traveled down this road campaigning or going to Richmond KY. The road is narrow, heavily traveled and very dangerous. Scores of young lives have been killed on this road. Yet too few politicians in Frankfort are willing to place a high importance on this dangerous road. Mr. Edmonds, you represent Estill County just as much as you represent Breathitt County. Jackson KY has a modern 2 lane road to Campton and Hazard while a new 4 lane road is being built as we speak. Yet must Estill Countians endure a dangerous trip to Winchester, Clay City or Mt. Sterling? Mr. Edmonds, your influence would be appreciated. Estill County has the WORST access to the Mt. Parkway of any eastern KY county. West Liberty, Jackson, and Beattyville have better roads leading to and from the parkway. Mr. Edmonds, this road is needed now. This project doesn't need to be delayed again. Keep up the pressure on the Frankfort bureacrats! Thank you.

KY 11: Clay City to Mount Sterling..I 64 access

Although I consider KY 89-82 to be of more importance to Estill Countians, I also feel that improvements could be made to KY 11 from Clay City to Mount Sterling. In recent years, improvements have been made to KY 11 from Maysville south to Flemingsburg and Mt. Sterling. The mountain north of Stanton on KY 213 has been reconstructed with truck lanes aiding travel from Stanton to Mt. Sterling.

Estill County needs better access to I 64 and the Bert T. Combs Mt. Parkway. And we need local people who will put more pressure on the State Department of Transportation so this new road can become a reality.

Fleming County now has a new KY 11 south going through Tilton, Sharpsburg, Bethel and Judy. Why no plans to rebuild KY 11 south of Mt. Sterling?

Trucks from the Estill County industrial park would likely get on I 64 at Mt. Sterling in route to Pittsburg, Charleston, Huntington, Washington DC etc..

If the road from Irvine to Mt. Sterling was as good as the road from Irvine to Richmond, Estill County would be growing rapidly. Good roads lead to more growth.

The people of Estill County deserve better and safer roads.

reduce speed limit on KY 89 from Irvine to Hargett

Until the state decides to rebuild KY 89 in Estill County, the speed limit should be reduced to 50 miles per hour. This road is dangerous. Too many Estill Countians have died on this highway. Too many Estill Countians are apathetic...as long as their families aren't involved, they shrug it off. Folks, this road is killing too many people. WE MUST PETITION FRANKFORT OFTEN TO GET THIS ROAD REBUILT. Imagine a nice modern highway with wide shoulders so a car that leaves the road won't leave the side and overturn.

If you are forced to travel this treacherous highway, slow down. Remember you are risking death every time you drive down this road.

Sad news: Another fatality on the Winchester Road

With due respect to the grieving family, I won't post the name or details of the recent traffic fatality along the Winchester Road in Estill County. While glancing at the headlines of the Estill County paper in the Irvine Save A Lot, I noticed the headlines about an accident in the county. I thought "I wonder if this accident occured along the Winchester Road". Sure enough, I read about someone dying in a wreck along this treacherous road. How much longer will we have to wait before a modern highway is constructed between Irvine and Powell or Clark Counties? Why should more families suffer due to a road that was built during the Great Depression? Why shouldn't the people of Estill County DEMAND that this dangerous road be rebuilt? Why does Estill County get screwed when it comes to new highway construction while millions of dollars are spent in the Mountain counties? Where is the local outrage? Our silence is killing young lives on the Winchester and Spout Springs Roads!! We must stop losing our best and brightest to this road that doesnt even have a shoulder along the sides of the road!

The Winchester Road is narrow, dangerous, heavily traveled and lacks a shoulder along the sides of the road. PUT MORE PRESSURE ON FRANKFORT TO BUILD A NEW ROAD NORTH OF IRVINE KY!!!!!

Salem Baptist Church Curve on KY 82

I traveled along KY 82 on route to Clay City. This new stretch of road in front of the Salem Baptist Church is nice. The rest of this road should look exactly like this stretch. I like the wide shoulders along this section and dream of the day when the road from Irvine to Clay City has been completely rebuilt with truck lanes on hills and wide shoulders on the sides of the road.

Nice job...Just keep it up. If people in other Eastern Kentucky counties deserve new roads, I think it is time Estill County gets its fair share of tax dollars.

If Morgan or Breathitt County gets a new road to the Mt. Parkway, why can't Estill? Again, we the people must put the pressure on the state Department of Transportation Department. If we howl and yell loud enough, maybe they will build this much needed highway.

As long as we keep quiet and allow the status quo to continue, don't expect a new road from Irvine to Clay City.

Get involved in getting a new road from Irvine to Mt. Parkway

Get involved.

Send letters to the KY Department of Transportation in Frankfort KY.
Demand that Rep. Edmonds and Sen. Jensen consider this road worthy of being put on the 6 year plan.
Create bumper stickers such as "I survived the drive from Irvine to Hargett". Just like Jackson Countians united against the crooked US 421 and got a new road in time.

Estill County has lost its best and brightest in car accidents along this dangerous stretch of highway.

The main reason we don't have a new road between Irvine and Clay City is because we the people didn't do what is needed to pressure the state DOT into building this road.

If it means taking to the street and protesting in front of the high or middle school, then so be it.

If anyone can justify why Estill County hasn't recieved a new highway from Irvine to neighboring county seats in four decades, please make your case.

Estill County isn't getting its fair share of new highway construction.

If it was safe to do so, I would say walk from the courthouse to the middle school parking lot in protest.

We the people must not stop until a new modern highway is built from Irvine to Clay City and Winchester. The current roads are outdated, unsafe, and unable to handle trucking. Estill Countians need to demand that this road gets built soon. The economic future of the county depends upon this road. We CANNOT expect ANY progress or growth in the community as long as we have main arteries that date back to the 1930s and 1950s.

no shoulders along KY 89 or 82

If you need to use a cell phone, if your car quits or if you lose control, there is NO shoulder along these roads.

It is time that the people of Estill County take a stand and DEMAND that this road is rebuilt. Let's stop wasting time. Our community has suffered enough due to this crooked and dangerous road. Our future depends upon the reconstruction of this road. We complained about having one bridge across the KY River and in time we got a new bridge.

The road between Irvine and Clay City KY needs to be completely rebuilt. We must make more noise until this snake path is replaced by modern roads. If other communities are getting better roads, we must DEMAND that we get our fair share of tax revenue.

walking from the Estill County High School to downtown Irvine

It is a shame that there isn't a wider shoulder to the Winchester Road so students from Estill County High School could walk to downtown Irvine KY if needed. In fact, the Winchester and Spout Springs Roads aren't very pedestrian friendly. It is time that Estill Countians complain more about these 2 roads. Until we complain louder, nothing is going to happen.

If you live in Irvine and work in Stanton or Mount Sterling, you hope and pray that you don't have a breakdown. There is nowhere to pull off of the road should this happen. There is no room to talk on the cell phone if needed.

narrow birdge over Calloway Creek on KY 89

The bridge over Calloway's Creek (Winchester Road) in northern Estill County is WAY too narrow. Unsafe. Pedestrians have no space to get out of the way of a car.

I hope that future improvements will result in a new bridge over Calloway's Creek. This is the first bridge to the north of the middle and high schools heading toward Hargett from Irvine.

Irvine-Lexington via Winchester

The closest route from Irvine to Lexington is through Winchester. KY 89 north to the new WInchester Bypass (KY 1958) north to I 64. Imagine if the road from Irvine to WInchester was as good as the road from Irvine to Richmond. More traffic would be going north and less traffic would be going west from downtown Irvine.

It is time to put the pressure on the Transportation Department concerning the section of road between the Estill County Middle School and Hargett. This road is dangerous, narrow and has no shoulder. You lose control of your car and you are down in the hollow!

From the 1930s until the 1960s, buses from Irvine to Lexington used to travel via KY 89 to US 60.

Northern Estill County would benefit by more through traffic and commercial development. Western Estill County would benefit by less traffic.

Estill County needs better and safer roads between Irvine and the cities north including Winchester or Clay City.

The new road in front of the Estill County High School?

I heard several years ago that the Irvine-Winchester Road (KY 89) North would be reconstructed between the Joseph Proctor bypass and 1000 feet north of the Estill County Middle School. Yet no construction has taken place. Nothing in the papers have indicated when this project will commence. Why?

This road is vital to Estill County in many ways. Evacuations from the county due to leaks in nerve gas, access to the schools and industrial park, and finally a wider road is needed to accomodate big trucks to and from the local landfill.

We must pressure Frankfort to start respecting the transportation needs of Estill County.

KY 89: New Fox Road to Clark County line

Plans are in place to construct a new section of the Irvine-Winchester Road from the New Fox road to the Red River bridge at the Clark County line. This new section would eliminate the dangerous curves near Corinth Church. This new road will built upon a clay surface that will constantly break off at times.

Trucks from the Smith power plant at Trapp Ky travel this road to Clay City daily.

KY 89 Rice Street to the Joseph Proctor bypass

Remember the plans to build a new section of the Winchester Road from Rice Street new Estill Springs Elementary School to Joseph Proctor bypass? A few local buisnessmen tried to stop this road claiming a new road would bring out of town businesses that would replace the local businesses. How can human beings be so selfish and narrowminded. It is all about ME and MY instead of the betterment of the county as a whole. Think of the wrecks along this road. Trying getting out of Northwoods or Priceless/Family Dollar Store? If these local businessmen offered lower prices and better service, they wouldn't feel so threatened by out of town businesses. I get so sick of the traditional self centered folks in this county who oppose any and every solution to improve the quality of life for the people of Estill County. Don't expect less. Expect more. Demand an end to poverty and traditionalism.

A new road from Rice Street to Joseph Proctor bypass won't hurt anyone. It would only make the traffic flow more smoothly throughout the area. Let's pressure Frankfort to get busy on this project.

Spot imrpovements along KY 82/89

The 6 year road plan states something to the effect that "spot" improvements will be made to these roads. How about getting rid of the Ace Barns curve and the curve near Twin Creek Road on KY 82?

The Irvine-Hargett section of KY 89 is SEVENTY FIVE YEARS OLD!

Read this article. The Irvine-Winchester Road has been paved since 1933.

Property owners along KY 89 and 82

A new road won't take much more of your land. And the new road would boost your chances of getting more from your land. Also the new road could enhance your chances of having a business on your property. You would think that a food mart could thrive between Irvine and Hargett considering that there is an industrial park, landfill and 2 schools along this 6 mile stretch. Yet there are no businesses at the moment. Small businesses create jobs.

Some Estill Countians are traditional in their thinking. These traditionalists want to oppose anything that might move this community forward. Some of this mindset is rooted in anachronims, ignorance,poverty or lack of travel. Bottom line: this new road would help everyone in Estill and Powell Counties!

A new road between White Oak and Hardwick's Creek won't happen

A few years ago, some officials tossed out the idea of a new road between White Oak Road and Hardwicks Creek Road (KY 1057) in Powell County. The steep terrain would make the project cost more than Frankfort would allow. So the only options are a new road near the locations of KY 82 and 89.

A new road between Irvine and Clay City is too expensive??Think again

I doubt a new road between Irvine and Clay City would cost any more than many of the following projects:
KY 519 from West Liberty to Morehead
KY 205 between West Liberty and Lee City
KY 30 between London and Booneville
KY 645 (4 lane) and KY 3 in Martin County (how do they rate so high?)
KY 461 south of Mt. Vernon
KY 11 south of Flemingsburg towards Sharpsburg

I am glad other parts of the commonwealth of Kentucky are getting modern highways. i just feel that Estill County hasn't recieved its fair share. The pathetic roads between Irvine and neighboring county seats is one reason Estill County "bad statistics" (poverty, population decline etc.) are worse than any other county within a 50 mile radius of Lexington KY. WE CAN AFFORD TO BUILD THIS ROAD. We need to force Frankfort to consider this road as a possible inclusion on the 6 year road plan.

Ace Barnes' stretch and curve

When you go north from the Estill County middle school toward Hargett, you will travel through a straigh stretch known as ACIE BARNES' stretch followed by a dangerous curve called the Acie Barnes curve. A very dangerous curve NOT included on Estill County's 6 year road plan! This dangerous curve is close to the Dry Ridge road that leads to the proposed Veterans' Park.

Speaking of this curve (it isn't safe to stop and take a picture of it), guard rails are right against the curve. An inexperienced driver could easily lose his or her life by taking this curve at a high rate of speed. There are no shoulders on this road and as soon as your car leaves the road you will lose control.

Parents of Estill County High school drivers should warn your teen drivers about this dangerous road.

Evacuations from the Bluegrass Army Depot

If Estill and eastern Madison Countians have to evacuate to Powell County, they will go north of Irvine via KY 89 and 82. Can you imagine thousands of people on the Winchester and Spout Springs Roads? If an evacuation is deemed needed because of a chemical leakage, these folks will be crossing the Red River Bridge on KY 82!!

Trucks from the landfill on KY 89

The landfill is located across the road from the Estill County High and Middle Schools. Trucks go in front of the landfill daily. Is the Winchester Road safe enough for all the trucks that enter and exit this landfill? Think about it. Increased trucking damages this road. Many dollars have been spent trying to resurface the road over the years. The clay surface under the blacktop cannot hold up under the load.

website: Estill Roads 6 year road plan

http://transportation.ky.gov/progmgmt/06syp.html

website: KY Department of Transportation

http://transportation.ky.gov/text_only.html

Improvements in Clark County KY

KY 89 has been improved in Clark COunty from Trapp to Winchester. During the 1980s, you could wear out a set of shocks making the 27 mile trip from Irvine to Winchester. The clay ground has allowed the road surface to break up in spots.

It is time for a better road from Irvine KY north to the Bert T Combs Mt. Parkway. We don't need more precious lives taken on this dangerous road.

If we complain enough, maybe the Transportation Department in Frankfort KY will take notice. Our silence isn't going to get it done.

New Park coming to Dry Ridge Road

Estill County is getting a new park in the next few years. The park will be located on the Dry Ridge Road near Hargett KY. Imagine trying to enter and exit onto the Winchester Road! Putting your life on the line!!

For park info, visit http://www.estillparks.org

A new Winchester Road benefits many people

On Friday nights, young college students from Eastern KY go home via Irvine. EKU students from Stanton, Campton, Jackson, Salyersville, West Liberty, Paintsville, West Liberty of Pikeville use this road to commute to and from campus.

From Clay City to Richmond, driving through Estill County, instead of Clark County, will save 6 or 7 miles.

Estill County would get more out of town people if this road was rebuilt.

Again we Estill Countians need to make some more noise.

Estill County KY needs better access to Mt. Parkway

Why do we sit back and never complain about our poor quality of roads in Estill County? We have the worst access to the Bert T. Combs Mt. Parkway of any eastern KY county unless it is Menifee County.

Many people have been killed in car accidents on the dangerous Irvine-Winchester Road also called KY 89 N.

Irvine KY would get more through traffic should a new road be built from Irvine to Hargett and Clay City. We are losing jobs and tourism because of the sorry condition of this road. Local efforts to bring in economic development are hampered as a result.

Imagine if we had bumper stickers and signs in businesses DEMANDING a new road be built from Irvine to Hargett, Winchester and Clay City!

Estill Countians need to get "out and about" and realize we haven't recieved our fair share of road construction as of late.