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Mountain Parkway
The Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway, commonly known as the Mountain Parkway, is a freeway in eastern Kentucky. The route runs from Interstate 64 (I-64) just east of Winchester southeast for 75.6 miles (121.7 km) to a junction with U.S. Route 460 (US 460) near Salyersville. The first 46 miles (74 km), beginning at the western terminus in Winchester is a four-lane freeway with only minor design standard differences from an Interstate Highway, while the remainder is a limited access super two highway. History The Mountain Parkway was built in the early 1960s and opened in January 1963 as Kentucky's second toll road. The route was originally signed only as the "Mountain Parkway". In the late 1970s, the road was officaly renamed the Bert T. Combs Parkway name was added. This was in honor the governor from the mountains who spearheaded construction of the highway. Auxiliary plates were added above the circular Mountain Parkway signs to mark the designation. As with all of Kentucky's toll roads, the tolls were removed as the construction bonds were paid off. Tolls were removed from the four-lane section in 1985, and the road became fully free in 1986 when the remaining tolls were removed from the two-lane section.  The route was designated Kentucky Route 114 (KY 114) in April 1985. In August, the road was redesignated KY 402. Later, in February 1990, the parkway was designated Kentucky Route 9000 from its western terminus to KY 15 Spur near Campton and Kentucky Route 9009 from KY 15 Spur to the parkway's eastern terminus. Both designations are unsigned.[1] FutureOn January 15, 2014, Governor Steve Beshear announced plans to extend the parkway to US 23 in Prestonsburg, which would include widening the highway to four lanes for its entire length. The project, which would cost more than $750 million and requires approval by the Kentucky General Assembly, would run through 2020, and is expected to lead to the reinstatement of tolls on the highway.[2] On July 26, 2019, Matt Bevin announced a $70M plan to expand the parkway.[3] Currently, Kentucky is planning to make $400 million in improvements to extend the parkway.[4] Exit list
References
External linksKML is from Wikidata
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