BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has come through with emergency funding to replace two deteriorating bridges in Martin County following increased safety concerns from residents. Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty announced the allocation of $88,540 for the Murray Road bridge over Coldwater Creek and $48,760 for a bridge on C&M Drive over Big Elk, both identified as critical needs in the county’s infrastructure.
“Both bridges were in desperate need of replacement and left us no choice,” Lafferty said. “As part of our county-wide bridge assessment, we are working our way down the priority list. We will continue to go after the state funds needed to repair or replace hazardous structures in our county.”
Residents reported significant concerns for the structural issues with the Murray Road bridge. Those include corrosion, cracks in critical components and deteriorating supports. Resident Chris Todd said the Murray Road bridge, constructed using parts of the old Kermit toll bridge, is losing its footing.
“The piers are falling off into the creek on both sides,” Todd said, pointing to the structures. “It has gotten a lot worse in the past year.”
Eric Phelps, Martin County Road and Facilities manager, noted the unsafe conditions necessitated immediate action.
“The structural integrity of these bridges was compromised, posing a risk to our community’s safety,” Phelps said.
In response to the situation, Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills, alongside Phelps, obtained project estimates and pursued state emergency funding.
The state mandates the county contribute 20% of the total project costs.
“As soon as we have our 20% match, we will be replacing the structures,” Phelps assured, with a one-year deadline set by the state for completing the work.
Judge Lafferty commended Mills, Phelps and the county magistrates for their work in advancing the projects.
“Our goal is to ensure the safety and reliability of our bridges,” said the judge. “We’ll continue to seek additional resources to repair or replace all hazardous bridges—until they are all up to code and safe.”
According to Phelps and Mills, in the past 15 months the county has secured state emergency funding for six bridges and completed repairs on a seventh bridge with no funding assistance.
Previous funding approvals include Old Blue Drive replacement (Debord) $80,000; Ponderosa Road replacement (Rockhouse) $75,100; Shadle Fletcher Lane repair (Crum Branch) $11,960; Boyd Ward Road repair (Tomahawk) $14,400. The county paid its own cost to replace the deck on a bridge on Parsons Branch (Coldwater).