Transportation Cabinet To Re-Evaluate Projects

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is rethinking its plans for road repairs and construction.Cost estimates for road work have increased 40 to 50 percent, which has made the state’s current plan for highway renovations unaffordable. Cabinet spokesperson Mark Brown says no projects have been cancelled, but the Cabinet is re-evaluating its plans and may make changes to save money.“We might build a ten foot shoulder instead of a twelve shoulder," says Brown. "Or we might build a two-lane highway with wide shoulders instead of a divided four lane road if we find out a two lane road will suit our needs.”Construction costs have risen mostly because of higher fuel prices and increased demand for materials overseas.