WQXE News
As the City of Vine Grove works towards replacing the recently-closed Otter Creek Road Bridge, the city is receiving funding to replace another.
Vine Grove was included in the latest round of the Team Kentucky County and City Bridge Improvement Program. According to a release from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, nearly $6.5 million will be awarded from the program for eight county and two city bridge projects. Nine of the projects are for bridge replacements while one is for repairs. Each approved project is reviewed and validated by KYTC engineers.
Vine Grove will receive $789,274.90 from the program. Those funds will go towards the replacement of the Creekvale Drive Bridge.
The money for the Creekvale Drive Bridge comes the same week the city was forced to close the Otter Creek Road Bridge. Vine Grove Mayor Pam Ogden said as the city was applying for funds for Otter Creek Road, Saint Andrews Drive, and Creekvale Road, it was found that the Otter Creek Road Bridge was not included on the state bridge registry. Ogden said an inspection of the bridge found it had deteriorated to a point that a closure was necessary.
Ogden said the city is working hard on finding the funding to replace the bridge.
“It’s a $1.5 million investment to replace that bridge,” Ogden said. “It is not something that we have right now at the city to fund ourselves. It’s in such bad shape that the entire bridge has to be replaced.”
Visit the KYTC website for more information on the bridge program.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is reminding residents of a new state grant program to help homeowners fortify their roofs and protect against extreme wind and hail events.
The application period is open for the Strengthen Kentucky Homes Program. The Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet says the program provides grants of up to $10,000 for qualified homeowners to purchase a fortified roof system for their home.
“These are stronger roofs that can better withstand high wind and hail damage,” said Beshear during Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update. “This is a proactive step to prepare and protect Kentuckians through resilient building.”
Beshear said fortified roofs have several benefits.
“Stronger edges to prevent the wind from getting underneath the roof and lifting it off the house,” Beshear said. “Sealed roof decks to prevent water damage. Better attachment to improve roof strength against wind, and impact resistant shingles that can withstand hail. Homeowners with fortified roofs will also see a reduction in their home insurance costs.”
Since the application period opened on March 1, the Kentucky Department of Insurance has received more than 150 applications. Learn more about the Strengthen Kentucky Homes program and submit an application at skh.ky.gov.
A donation from the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Foundation will continue support for student-parents enrolled across the commonwealth.
According to a release from the KCTCS, the Better Life Scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible single parent students who are raising children while also working toward a degree or credential at a KCTCS college. The scholarship helps cover the cost of tuition and related expenses to help reduce financial barriers that often prevent student-parents from completing their education.
The KCTCS says the latest donation from the Kentucky Colonels was for $100,000. To date, the Kentucky Colonels have contributed more than $1.8 million to KCTCS students, supporting scholarships that have benefited more than 500 student-parents.
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Executive Director Sherry Crose said in the release: “We have been proud to invest in the Better Life Scholarship since 2003 and hope Kentucky Colonels everywhere share our pride in knowing they have impacted generations of families through the transformative power of education.”
Students can learn more about the Better Life Scholarship and other financial aid opportunities at kctcs.edu.