Gov. Beshear Announces $50 Million Interstate 71 Widening and Improvement Project in Louisville
Project will ease traffic congestion, increase safety, reduce commute times
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 12, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced a $50 million investment to upgrade Interstate 71 – one of Louisville’s most critical travel corridors. The two-year project will increase capacity for the corridor from four lanes to six lanes, easing traffic congestion, increasing safety, and improving efficiency to ensure Kentuckians and visitors alike can get to where they need to go quicker.
“Our administration continues to make historic investments to improve safety and reliability on our interstates and to reduce commute times,” said Gov. Beshear. “This project along I-71 will make travel safer and more efficient for Kentucky families, visitors and businesses, while also supporting future growth in one of Louisville’s busiest corridors.”
The work zone will extend along a 2-mile section of I-71. While construction teams work to improve the roads, traffic along the current two lanes in each direction will remain open during peak travel times as crews widen the interstate and make pavement improvements from the Interstate 65/I-71 interchange near Frankfort Avenue to the I-71/Zorn Avenue interchange. Motorists should be prepared for changing traffic patterns, lane shifts and intermittent overnight lane closures.
The project includes additional enhancements, including a multiuse path on Zorn Avenue between the I-71/Zorn Avenue interchange and Mellwood Avenue, as well as the installation of a median treatment at the intersection of Zorn and Mellwood avenues to improve safety and define traffic movements.
It also includes demolition and reconstruction of the I-71 bridge over Beargrass Creek, and a latex overlay will be applied to the I-71 bridge over I-64 at mile point 0.3 to extend its service life.
“While our first priority is ensuring safe and efficient roads and bridges now and for the future, we also don’t take construction impacts lightly,” said KYTC District 5 Chief Engineer Matt Bullock. “This project will have minimal traffic interruptions as existing lanes will primarily stay open during construction as crews add a lane in each direction. We also continue to coordinate and evaluate construction activities on other projects throughout the entire Louisville area to deliver quality improvements while reducing traffic impacts.”
Work is scheduled to begin on Monday, Nov. 17. To prepare to shift traffic to the outside shoulders to maintain two travel lanes throughout construction, overnight lane closures may take place nightly from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Nov. 17. During the overnight lane closures, contract crews will remove and pave over the existing rumble strips along the outside shoulders to shift traffic to the outside shoulders. Drivers should heed signage, use caution, and plan ahead for travel delays.
The interstate project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2027. The work is being carried out by Haydon Bridge Co. Inc. of Springfield, Kentucky. More details, including project timelines and traffic impacts, will be shared online as work progresses. Motorists are encouraged to sign up for email alerts regarding traffic impacts pertaining to the project.
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Former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins Will Lie in State at Old State Capitol
Flags at state buildings have been lowered to half-staff in honor of Collins
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2023) – Gov. Andy Beshear invites the public to pay their respects to former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins, who will lie in state in the Old State Capitol on Sunday, Nov. 9, beginning at noon EST.
Collins’ family will host a public visitation in the Old State Capitol from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. There will be a memorial service at 4:30 p.m., which will air live on Kentucky Educational Television (KET) and at ket.org/live.
Collins was the 56th Governor of the commonwealth and its only woman Governor to date, serving from 1983 to 1987. She also served as Lieutenant Governor from 1979 to 1983. She was 88 years old when she passed away Saturday.
“Gov. Martha Layne Collins led a ground-breaking life and career dedicated to building a better Kentucky for all our people,” Gov. Beshear said. “We thank her for her service to the commonwealth and we commend her amazing life of service.”
A private burial service will take place Monday, Nov. 10.
On Monday, Gov. Beshear directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff in Collins’ honor until sunset on the day of interment. Flags will remain at half-staff, however, until the interment of former Vice President Dick Cheney, whose funeral arrangements are still pending. Flag status information is available at governor.ky.gov/flag-status.
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Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 13, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on economic development, the UPS plane crash, funding to improve water infrastructure in Eastern Kentucky, Kentucky State Police (KSP) recruitment, support for veterans, and Lung Cancer Awareness Month. The Governor also provided an update on SNAP benefits and named teams at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars for their hard work to process SNAP benefits after the release of funding by the federal government.
Economic Development
Gov. Beshear congratulated leaders from MRCOOL, who recently cut the ribbon on the company’s newly expanded facility in Graves County, a $5.35 million investment that is creating 40 new full-time jobs.
Ophir and Uri Rahimi, brothers and co-founders of Rip Technologies, an e-commerce company, joined the Team Kentucky Update to talk about their $4.3 million investment in Mt. Sterling, which is creating 46 full-time jobs. Last month, the Governor announced that Montgomery County is receiving over $700,000 to lease equipment to Rip Technologies to support the company’s growth.
The Governor also highlighted recent news from Ford: The company announced a $60 million investment creating 100 full-time jobs at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Jefferson County. The expansion is part of Ford’s efforts to increase F-Series Super Duty truck production to meet customer demand.
UPS Plane Crash
Following the UPS plane crash on Nov. 4 in Louisville, Gov. Beshear today confirmed that it is believed all victims have been identified. Fourteen individuals were named, including: Capt. Dana Diamond; Capt. Richard Wartenberg; First Officer Lee Truitt; Angela Anderson; Carlos Fernandez; Louisnes “Lou” Fedon; Kimberly Asa; Trinadette “Trina” Chavez; Tony Crain; John Loucks; John Spray; Matthew Sweets; Ella Petty Whorton; and Megan Washburn.
“These families need our prayers, love and support more than ever,” said Gov. Beshear. “To everyone affected by this terrible event, we’ll be there for you not just today, but in the weeks, months and years to come."
For those who wish to make a donation to help those affected, please visit TeamKyEmergencyReliefFund.ky.gov.
Water Infrastructure Improvements in Eastern Kentucky
A few weeks ago, Team Kentucky completed two projects to repair or replace water supply infrastructure in Breathitt and Knott counties. Funding comes from the Water Supply Replacement Program.
- The Breathitt Multi-Sites Project repaired infrastructure that was severely damaged in the 2022 floods. This $1.7 million project replaced over 6,000 feet of waterline, improving service to over 950 households.
- The Big Branch to Montgomery Creek Project in Knott County was completed. A second project will continue the new waterline, from Montgomery Creek to Talcum. These projects, totaling $8.25 million, are installing over 68,000 feet of waterline along KY-80 near the Knott/Perry County line, improving service to 2,500 existing customers and will provide service to new customers in the future.
Kentucky State Police Recruitment
The Governor provided an update on recruitment efforts by the Kentucky State Police (KSP) for their next cadet class. Recently, KSP announced the expansion of guaranteed post assignments for troopers who graduate from Cadet Class 107, which is scheduled to begin in May 2026. The expansion includes Post 4 in Elizabethtown and Post 12 in Frankfort. These two posts serve the Louisville and Lexington metropolitan areas, respectively. The announcement comes as KSP continues to accept applications for Cadet Class 107, offering an annual starting salary of $69,500. Visit JoinKSP.com to learn more.
Veterans Day
The Governor honored and recognized Veterans Day and announced that the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs was recognized with the VA Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award for customer service for the fifth straight year.
“As Kentuckians – and as Americans – we must continually give thanks to our veterans for their bravery, selflessness and dedication to our great country,” said Gov. Beshear. “Team Kentucky is committed to the hard work of being worthy of our veterans’ sacrifices, which sustain us. And I am proud to say that our Department of Veterans Affairs sees through that commitment daily.”
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Gov. Beshear highlighted that November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. In August, the Governor reported that Kentucky was the only state in the nation to earn a 100% score in a national assessment of state cancer plans run by GO2 for Lung Cancer. Team Kentucky has been working to raise awareness about lung cancer – and address it through both reductions in tobacco use and access to health-care services, such as screenings and early detection. Over the past five years, Kentucky’s lung cancer survival rate has increased by 30%. At the same time, lung cancer is still the number one cause of cancer deaths in the commonwealth, and Kentucky rates the highest in the nation for new lung cancer cases.
“When we catch lung cancer early, we can treat it and help folks get back to the things that matter. If you think you may be at risk: Get screened. Early detection saves lives,” said Gov. Beshear. “Another important thing Kentuckians can do to address lung cancer rates is help our friends and neighbors quit smoking. Together, we can continue to lift one another up and take steps toward a Healthy Kentucky Home.”
Team Kentucky All-Stars / SNAP Benefits
Due to the federal government shutdown, on Nov. 1, SNAP benefits – which almost 600,000 Kentuckians rely on to supplement their grocery budget – were suspended. The Governor and Team Kentucky took steps to help Kentuckians in need.
The Governor joined leaders from 24 other states and the District of Columbia in challenging the Trump administration over its unlawful decision to suspend SNAP. On Oct. 31, a federal judge ruled in favor of Kentucky and demanded that funding be partially restored. The Governor also directed $5 million to Feeding Kentucky food banks and authorized the Kentucky National Guard to assist in staffing food banks as needed.
After Team Kentucky received confirmation from the federal government that SNAP benefits would begin processing, on Nov. 6, Kentucky was one of the first states to process those partial SNAP benefits. In recognition of their hard work to get benefits processed, the Governor named the Department for Community Based Services and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Office of Application Technology Services as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.
“After notification from the federal government, these folks worked through the night to ensure their neighbors had access to food through their SNAP benefits in the morning,” said Gov. Beshear. “And now, as the shutdown comes to an end, this team is once again willing and ready to process benefits as quickly as possible. To these folks – you’re making a difference – and I am proud to work alongside you. Thank you.”
Gov. Beshear announced that right before the update began, his administration received communication from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that full SNAP benefits. The Governor said his administration is ready to process benefits as quickly as possible and will share more information on timing as it is available from the federal government.
“Coming out of the federal shutdown, what’s most important is that people in Kentucky get the help they need – especially ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday,” said the Governor. “Team Kentucky is ready to process the benefits as quickly as possible once we receive clearance from the federal government to help our fellow Kentuckians who rely on SNAP.”
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