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Yet Estill Countians have to have such outdated highways as KY 89 and 82 north of Irvine. Our roads are unsafe, outdated and such roads hinder our economic progress.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.