Make Kentucky a interstate ready state

A RESOLUTION

Declaring that all new highway construction and all major highway rehabilitation projects undertaken within the Commonwealth of Kentucky shall be designed, engineered, and constructed to full interstate standards, in order to improve public safety, strengthen economic competitiveness, and ensure long‑term readiness for future interstate designation.

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Kentucky relies on safe, modern, and resilient transportation corridors to support economic development, emergency response, and the daily mobility of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, many regions of Kentucky—particularly rural and Appalachian counties—remain underserved by limited‑access, high‑capacity highways, creating barriers to commerce, healthcare access, and long‑term economic opportunity; and

WHEREAS, constructing new highways and major rehabilitation projects to sub‑interstate standards results in higher long‑term costs, repeated reconstruction, and avoidable safety hazards; and

WHEREAS, interstate‑grade design, including full access control, modern geometry, adequate shoulders, median separation, and grade‑separated interchanges, has been proven to reduce fatal and serious‑injury crashes; and

WHEREAS, building to interstate standards at the outset ensures that Kentucky remains prepared for future interstate expansions, federal designations, and regional corridor development without requiring costly retrofits; and

WHEREAS, the people of Kentucky deserve a transportation system that prioritizes safety, durability, and long‑term value for taxpayers;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY:

Section 1. Interstate‑Standard Requirement for New Highways

All new highway construction projects funded, permitted, or administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) shall be designed and built to meet or exceed current Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) interstate standards, including but not limited to:

- Full access control

- Grade‑separated interchanges

- Adequate shoulders and recovery zones

- Median separation or barrier protection

- Modern horizontal and vertical alignment

- Freight‑appropriate load ratings

Section 2. Interstate‑Standard Requirement for Major Repairs

All major rehabilitation, reconstruction, or widening projects on existing state highways shall be upgraded to interstate‑equivalent standards wherever feasible, including:

- Shoulder widening

- Slope and embankment correction

- Intersection elimination or conversion to interchanges

- Access consolidation

- Safety barrier installation

- Pavement strengthening for freight corridors

Section 3. Prioritization of High‑Need Corridors

KYTC shall prioritize interstate‑standard upgrades on:

- High‑crash corridors

- Primary freight routes

- Appalachian regional connectors

- Evacuation and emergency‑response routes

- Corridors identified for potential future interstate designation

Section 4. Fiscal Responsibility

KYTC shall incorporate interstate‑standard design into long‑range planning to reduce long‑term reconstruction costs, improve safety outcomes, and maximize eligibility for federal funding.

Section 5. Public Safety Commitment

This resolution affirms that the Commonwealth places the highest priority on protecting the lives of its citizens through modern, resilient, and safe highway infrastructure.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED

That Kentucky commits to becoming an “Interstate‑Ready State,” ensuring that every major corridor—existing or future—meets the standards necessary for long‑term economic growth, regional connectivity, and public safety.