Governor announces $100 million in transportation and infrastructure projects for Ft. Knox region
Projects in anticipation of BRAC realignment
FRANKFORT, KY – March 23, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Joined by community leaders, legislators and county and city officials, Gov. Steve Beshear today announced $100 million of state approved transportation and infrastructure projects for Hardin and Meade counties.
The projects will support the communities in accommodating the growth expected from the federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission’s 2005 decision to realign to Ft. Knox.
“The BRAC realignment affects not only the Ft. Knox region, but the entire commonwealth,” Gov. Beshear said. “We must support these communities in their efforts to address the necessary demands this realignment will require, including transportation and infrastructure growth.”
The legislature approved the $100 million in bonding authority in April 2008. This figure is a third of the infrastructure, education and transportation demands that local officials outlined in 2007 as the amount necessary to accommodate expected employment and population gains in the region over the next few years.
The amount will be split between transportation and infrastructure projects, which include school projects and expanding water and sewer services.
From the approved money, $50 million has been bonded and will go toward four main transportation projects. They include:
- A new connector from KY 313 near Vine Grove to U.S. 60 that will provide better access from residential areas to Ft. Knox;
- A connector from KY 313 to Bullion Boulevard that will improve entrance into Chafee gate at Ft. Knox; and
- A connector between Elizabethtown, Radcliff and North Wilson Road, improvements that are both designed to ease congestion and enable more efficient travel within the community.
The remaining $50 million will be used for infrastructure projects. These include three water projects:
- Pirtle Springs Water Treatment Plant Reconstruction;
- Phase V of 31W Loop Connection; and
- Springfield Road Tank.
There will be five sewer projects including:
- City of Muldraugh Wasterwater Collection Rehab;
- Hardin County Water District #2 Sewer Collection System Project;
- Elizabethtown Valley Creek WWTP Expansion;
- City of Radcliff I&I Project; and
- City of Radcliff Wastewater Pump Station Upgrades.
Also, there will be two school construction projects:
- The Hardin County Board of Education; and
- The Meade County Board of Education.
“The $100 million in transportation and infrastructure projects is not only of tremendous importance to the Ft. Knox region to further prepare for the BRAC realignment, it also is symbolic of the commonwealth’s commitment and support of national defense,” said Special Assistant to the Governor for BRAC, Col. Ret. Mark D. Needham.
Because of the base realignment adopted by the federal government in 2005, Ft. Knox will receive a net gain of both military and civilian personnel by September 2011.
About 5,000 new military and civilian jobs will be created. Many of these jobs are high-tech, upper-level professional and management positions for new commands. In total, there will be an increase of about 2,500 military, more than 2,000 civilians and as many as 1,000 permanent contractors.
In addition, about 7,700 family members will also move to Kentucky, meaning the region will gain about 13,000 in population in a short period of time.
From 2007-2012, the total projected state tax revenue generated from Ft. Knox operations will exceed $385 million, representing a $96 million increase in new state tax revenue. Projected annual state tax revenue is expected to be approximately $75 million.
The Governor’s Task Force on Military Base Realignment was created by Executive Order on March 26, 2008 in order to supplement the state’s efforts in expediting the federal governments 2005 Department of Defense BRAC recommendations.
