BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Sixteen years after engineers drew plans for a pedestrian bridge across Rockcastle Creek, Inez officials are laying the groundwork for a second attempt. This time they have a fresh strategy, hope for a new source of funding, and determination to sidestep the bureaucratic hurdles that doomed the project the first time.
The Rockcastle Creek Pedway, after initially receiving federal funding in 2009, was never built. Although the City of Inez paid for engineering work by QK4 Inc. of Lyndon, the project never materialized.
The costs of the project ballooned during the pandemic, Mayor Ed Daniels said during a recent city meeting, and bids came in higher than the original budget.
“They couldn’t get that much money, and finally, it died,” he said.
Now, transportation planner Aaron King of the Big Sandy Area Development District is preparing to apply for an Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grant to breathe life back into the project.
“I know the project was previously awarded in ’09,” King told Daniels and Inez Commissioners. “I wanted to get a little more information. Was the engineering completed for that grant when it was awarded?”
City officials informed King that the drawing and paperwork on the project are in a file in City Hall.
King is teaming up with Troy Hearn, physical activity and nutrition program coordinator with the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Hearn has deep experience in bicycle and pedestrian planning in his former role at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Together, they are aligning the Pedway project with a newly updated Inez Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan that intends to improve several projects across the city.
“Aaron and I are going to tag-team a lot of these projects for the next year,” Hearn said, noting that funding for his projects comes through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The community does not have to pay for this,” he said of the pedestrian and bicycle master plan. He added that a comparable study would typically cost between $25,000 and $40,000 if outsourced to a private consultant.
The current strategy calls for a feasibility study of the pedway and other projects within weeks.
“Even though an engineering evaluation may have been done on the pedway bridge, a cost evaluation will need to be done for that,” said Hearn. “We’ll share that document with you probably within the next three weeks. We’ll have a feasibility study done first, and then we will work on the funding application.”
The new study will also help position the city for future grant opportunities, he said, including the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), which awards points for shovel-ready plans like this one.
Hearn, who has worked at both the state health and transportation cabinets, is wary of overreliance on federal programs.
“I am really good at getting things constructed without applying for federal grants,” he said. “They drive the cost up.” He recalled projects completed for $50,000 with local certified, bonded and insured contractors that would have cost $400,000 under a TAP grant.
“They do great work,” he said of the transportation cabinet. “But they’re used to doing great big things like blasting mountains and doing huge roadway corridors, so they have that mindset when they build 100 feet of sidewalk.”
The Rockcastle Pedway, if constructed, would span Rockcastle Creek from Route 3 near Skeeze Ward Manor to Boardwalk. With Route 3 being a state route, Hearn said the project will require coordination with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
At the meeting, Daniels also raised a lingering concern. The city spent roughly $33,000 on the project over a decade ago and never received reimbursement from the state as promised. Hearn said he would investigate the matter on the city’s behalf.
Hearn expressed optimism that, with strategic planning and local implementation, the city could complete the outlined projects within five years.
“Hopefully, in five years, you’ll have knocked out all of these projects and we’ll redo your master plan and have a whole new list of projects,” said Hearn.
Master plan
The new master plan intends to transform the way residents move—on foot and by bike—while tackling health and economic challenges.
Developed with the Big Sandy Area Development District and state and local partners, the plan outlines a comprehensive strategy. That includes building sidewalks, bike routes and shared-use paths that connect neighborhoods, parks, businesses and public services.
This plan is about public health, safety, quality of life, and better access to the things residents need.
According to the plan, Martin County ranks 98th in Health Outcomes and 109th in Health Factors out of 120 counties. With a median household income of just over $20,000, more than 30% of Inez residents live below the poverty line. Roughly one-third report having a disability. For many, walking and biking are essential.
The plan identifies specific projects to close key gaps in pedestrian and bike infrastructure. Among the priorities: sidewalk improvements along KY-3 and KY-40, new construction near the Community Center and library, and the pedestrian bridge.
Data and community input back the vision. A public survey revealed strong local demand for better walking and biking routes, particularly around schools, parks and retail areas. Respondents cited missing sidewalks, poor conditions and lack of safety features as major deterrents to active transportation. More than 90% said they would walk more if safer, more accessible paths were available.
Strava heat map data showed pedestrian activity concentrated around the downtown and park areas. It showed virtually no biking data, revealing both an infrastructure void and a cultural barrier the city hopes to overcome.
The plan aligns with Kentucky’s Complete Streets policy and incorporates national accessibility and design standards, increasing its eligibility for funding.
It recommends that new infrastructure follow national design guidelines and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards.
The full plan is available at bigsandy.org/wpfd_file/city-of-inez-bicycle-and-pedestrian-plan-final/.