PIKEVILLE, KY — A project to build a new U.S. 460 corridor in eastern Kentucky earned regional recognition for its positive impact on communities and regional development.
In Cincinnati, Ohio, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) officials accepted the Mid-America Association of State Transportation Officials (MAASTO) Regional Award in the Quality of Life/Community Development category. The project will be considered for a Top 12 finalist spot among national projects competing for a Grand Prize and People’s Choice Award.
“This award is a proud moment for Team Kentucky, District 12, and everyone who played a role in bringing this project to life,” said Mary Westfall-Holbrook, Chief District Engineer for KYTC District 12. “U.S. 460 represents years of planning, collaboration, and determination to improve safety and economic growth for eastern Kentucky. It’s rewarding to see that work recognized on the national stage.”
The nearly 17-mile, four-lane corridor connects Pikeville to the Virginia state line. It provides a safer and more reliable route through one of Kentucky’s most mountainous regions by replacing narrow, curvy lanes with new 12-foot driving lanes and a 10-mile shorter connection. The project features Kentucky’s tallest twin-span bridges and incorporates modern design elements that improve mobility, enhance connectivity, and provide more efficient access for residents, businesses, and emergency services throughout eastern Kentucky.
“Our driving force is safety and improving the quality of life for Kentuckians every day,” KYTC Secretary Rebecca Goodman said. “This is a shared victory for everyone whose commitment, expertise, and hard work helped make this decades-long project a success. The new corridor is giving eastern Kentuckians a safer, better route that will serve them for generations to come.”
Planning for the corridor began in 1990, and the first 8 miles of the project opened in December 2014. The entire project opened to traffic on October 31, 2025. The award reflects the dedication of state employees, engineers, contractors, consultants, and government partners who worked together to deliver the nearly $800 million project.
This marks the second national recognition for the U.S. 460 project. Earlier this year, the project, in partnership with Palmer Engineering, received a National Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies.
