Funding will go toward sidewalk, lighting on Summit Street in Richmond

Richmond, KY – On June 21st, Governor Andy Beshear presented $369,200 to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) to build a 6-foot-wide sidewalk and add additional lighting to provide a safer way for students, staff and Richmond families to get to and from campus.

The funding from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) will provide a 6-foot-wide concrete sidewalk that will offer new ramps that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at street crossings and striped crosswalks. The funding will also support additional lighting on the south side of Summit Street that continues until University Drive, which will improve safety for people walking early in the morning or late at night.

“This is another step we can take to keep people safe and make college more accessible to Kentuckians who may want to attend classes but worry they couldn’t get transportation to and from the university,” Gov. Beshear said. “My administration will always put education first – both by investing in students directly and by investing in the infrastructure and communities around them.”

The new sidewalk and lighting will be maintained by EKU and is expected to reduce traffic and gas emissions, providing additional benefits for the city and the environment.

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor thanked EKU President David McFaddin for his continued leadership on improving access to higher education.

“When we remove barriers to education, it helps our people seize new opportunities and pursue their goals,” Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman said. “This is another way that President McFaddin, the EKU team and the Richmond community are helping lead the way on improving college access.”

“Ensuring that our faculty, staff, students and campus guests have safe and accessible access to and from campus is a priority for EKU,” Dr. McFaddin said. “Partnerships are what make projects like this happen, and I am appreciate of the collaboration between the City of Richmond and the Commonwealth of Kentucky to bring this project to fruition.”

“We want to thank Gov. Beshear and the Commonwealth of Kentucky for providing this TAP grant funding for the Summit Street project,” Richmond Mayor Pro Tempore Mike Brewer said. “This is a great example of the working partnership between the state, Eastern Kentucky University and our fine city. The Summit Street project will improve sidewalks and lighting along this corridor that will allow for easier passage and better safety at night.”

About the Transportation Alternatives Program
TAP is a federally funded reimbursement program administered through KYTC’s Office of Local Programs. Funding supports non-motorized forms of transportation to improve connectivity, accessibility, safety and equity in communities. Transportation projects commonly include bicycle and pedestrian pathways, ADA compliance, Safe Routes to School and wildlife mitigation. The program covers 80% of the project cost.