Monday, October 06, 2008
U.S. 119 Celebration Scheduled For Belfry High School Saturday Morning.
Former property owners will join federal and state officials on Saturday, October 11, to celebrate the completion of US 119 in Pike County. The first public hearing on the road was held by Joe Dean Anderson, now retired, an engineer with Highway District 12. The last section, from Scott Fork to Bent Branch, opened to traffic in March of this year – 42 years later.
Governor Steve Beshear will join US Congressman Hal Rogers as well as Judi and Paul Patton to mark this historic occasion. “We also hope that local and state officials from Mingo and Logan counties in West Virginia will be there,” said Kevin Damron , Chief District Engineer.
Letters were sent to people whose property was acquired for the US 119 project. “We only had current addresses for a handful of people,” Damron said. “If someone didn’t get a letter, please don’t be insulted. We want you to come and bring your family! We also want people to bring unframed photos of the homes and businesses and cemeteries, whatever was in your family that used to be there and isn’t now because of the US 119 project. We will make a display with them and give them back to you before you leave.”
Events during the celebration include the exhibit of photographs; a PowerPoint® presentation about the project which shows areas before, during, and after construction; and dinner on the grounds for everyone who attends. The Jaguars will provide music for the dinner.
“We are just going to have a big party and we want everyone to share it with us!” said Sara George, Highway District 12’s information officer. “This is the longest-running and most expensive road and bridge-building project we’ve ever had in Eastern Kentucky , and that’s reason enough to celebrate.”
Governor Steve Beshear will join US Congressman Hal Rogers as well as Judi and Paul Patton to mark this historic occasion. “We also hope that local and state officials from Mingo and Logan counties in West Virginia will be there,” said Kevin Damron , Chief District Engineer.
Letters were sent to people whose property was acquired for the US 119 project. “We only had current addresses for a handful of people,” Damron said. “If someone didn’t get a letter, please don’t be insulted. We want you to come and bring your family! We also want people to bring unframed photos of the homes and businesses and cemeteries, whatever was in your family that used to be there and isn’t now because of the US 119 project. We will make a display with them and give them back to you before you leave.”
Events during the celebration include the exhibit of photographs; a PowerPoint® presentation about the project which shows areas before, during, and after construction; and dinner on the grounds for everyone who attends. The Jaguars will provide music for the dinner.
“We are just going to have a big party and we want everyone to share it with us!” said Sara George, Highway District 12’s information officer. “This is the longest-running and most expensive road and bridge-building project we’ve ever had in Eastern Kentucky , and that’s reason enough to celebrate.”
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 4:14 PM 
