Construction expected to begin on both of the city’s sidewalk grant projects in 2025
The City of Somerset has been awarded a $1.04 million federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to make one of the community’s most in-demand transportation improvements a reality — sidewalks on U.S. 27.
The project, which will total $1.3 million with the city’s matching funds, will provide 3,320 linear feet of sidewalks from mile marker 14 to mile marker 14.7 on this federal highway that serves as Somerset’s retail corridor. The sidewalk will begin at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Realty Lane (on the northbound side at Gold Star Chili and AT&T) and continue to the intersection of U.S. 27 and Washington Drive (Walmart/Lowe’s shopping complex), providing pedestrian access along a heavily trafficked area where it has previously been limited.
“For six years, residents have consistently expressed to me a desire for a more walkable Somerset, particularly in areas where people shop and receive medical care,” Somerset Mayor Alan Keck said. “This is crucial for those who don’t drive, ensuring safe access to essential services. I’m excited to announce we’re finally making this happen. This is a significant step towards a broader vision to make Somerset accessible to all.”
That vision is Somerset 2050, the city’s comprehensive plan, which has been in development over the last six months. The plan will build a foundation for land use, transportation, infrastructure and facilities that will shape future policy decisions and serve as a roadmap for public and private development projects. It will include supporting goals and recommendations for future growth and is expected to be presented to Somerset City Council for adoption in January.
As a part of the plan’s development, residents were surveyed about what they think the community’s top priorities should be in the next 25 years. Sixty-one percent (61%) of survey respondents said sidewalks and pedestrian amenities are the No. 1 most needed transportation improvement in Somerset.
In addition to the proposed sidewalk extension, the medians between Realty Lane and University of Kentucky Drive will be enhanced to remove existing asphalt and replace it with landscaped endcaps with concrete buffers and a grass swale to assist with stormwater runoff in the middle sections. KYTC built U.S. 27 with future pedestrian facilities in mind, Keck said — at most intersections, pedestrian signals and crosswalk striping are already in place, making a project like this easier and faster to complete.
The City of Somerset received a similar TAP grant in 2019 for $2 million for the Connect Somerset project. When complete, Connect Somerset will connect downtown to Somerset Community College along Old Monticello Road. It will also connect Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital and MedPark West along Hail Knob Road to Ky. 80. This project has been significantly delayed due to securing rights-of-way and easements, but Keck said these have now been obtained. The project is awaiting final design approval from KYTC.
Keck said this new TAP project dovetails nicely with Connect Somerset by extending pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle access from downtown to Somerset Community College and nearly 60 retail, healthcare, grocery and community establishments along U.S. 27.
Construction on both TAP grant projects is expected to begin in 2025, with Connect Somerset starting first in the spring.
Both sidewalk projects will be maintained by the City of Somerset using its funds and employees.
“While the process has been challenging and is taking longer than we would like, TAP grants are incredibly valuable tools for enhancing our community’s transportation infrastructure and we are grateful to receive them,” Keck said. “Our residents have requested this time and time again. I can’t wait to see people walking along Monticello Road and U.S. 27 to the places they want to go and deserve to have access to. We will continue to find ways to build a better Somerset for future generations.”
