Homesteads vs. Highways
By: Import User
Updated: August 14, 2007
A $10 million project to improve Kentucky Highway 56 west of Morganfield could be the first step to opening up new economic opportunities for Union County.
Truck traffic on the two lane highway is limited because of sight lines and its reduced load capacity.
Engineers hope to improve the road all the way to the Shawneetown Bridge, linking it with better roads in Illinois.
But the project will take farm land, and a few homes in the area.
Many residents on the land are third and fourth generation families.
They say giving up their land will be tough, but many understand the need to spark the local economy.
The project could be one to two years off, and depends on funding approval from the Kentucky General Assembly. The first phase of work will stretch from the Highway 60 Bypass in Morganfield to the community of Spring Grove.
Morganfield relys on truck service to serve several auto parts suppliers located there.
The hope is that improved access to the Interstate system will spark new growth in transportation and shipping.
