Beech Tree News Network

Kentucky Press News Service- DRAKESBORO – Gov. Steve Beshear joined local officials Tuesday to present a $435,000 ceremonial check to the Muhlenberg County Fiscal Court for improvements along Riverside Road near the Tennessee Valley Authority Paradise Fossil Plant in Drakesboro.

“Over time, heavy traffic volumes and congestion have eroded the quality of Riverside Road leading to the plant,” Beshear said in a statement. “The improvements made along this route will provide employees and contractors a smooth, safer commute to work.”

The 3.1-mile project includes funding for road stabilization, resurfacing, shoulder work and drainage along Riverside Road. Nearly 400 TVA employees access the plant daily from this entrance. TVA’s secondary plant entrance reroutes employees 15 minutes out of the way.

The estimated cost of the project is $535,000, to be shared equally by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Muhlenberg County Fiscal Court. The Transportation Cabinet will administer $435,000 to the fiscal court, which will be responsible for construction and remaining project costs. TVA will make some in-kind contributions, including gravel for shoulder work, a news release from Beshear's office said.

Completion is expected in early November.

“Muhlenberg County Fiscal Court is pleased to be a partner in this truly significant collaboration between governmental entities on the Riverside Road project,” Muhlenberg County Judge-Executive Rick Newman said. “This is a county road which provides an alternate route for many employees of TVA saving them significant travel time to and from work and considerable improvement of safety factors on the route. We say ‘thank you’ to the governor’s office, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the TVA for being partners in this historic collaboration.”

The Paradise Fossil Plant was completed in 1970 on the Green River in Muhlenberg County. Paradise typically generates 14 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, enough to supply nearly one-million homes.