Grant will connect Prestonsburg Passage to Middle Creek Battlefield

Duration: 2:46 528 transcript words EN summary

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The city of Prestonsburg has successfully secured a $976,000 grant to construct a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge designed to link the local Passage rail trail with the Middle Creek National Battlefield. This infrastructure project aims to significantly enhance visitor access, allowing people who enjoy the trail system to easily cross over and explore the historical battlefield without interruption. The initiative was championed by Mayor Rick Keuse, who highlighted that the effort began approximately five years ago thanks to the advocacy of local history expert Frank Fitzpatrick and his work with the Big Sandy Aid organization. The funding structure for this project involves a strategic partnership where the city provides a 20% matching grant, bringing the total investment to just over $1.1 million. The funds are strictly designated for the construction of the bridge itself, which serves as a critical connector between Archer Park and the battlefield. By bridging this gap, the project not only improves connectivity within the city but also ensures that visitors can seamlessly transition between recreational trails and significant historical sites, thereby enriching the overall experience for tourists and locals alike. Although there is no specific completion date set at this time, the project is currently in the design and bidding phase as engineers develop temporary plans and search for qualified contractors. During this period, Mayor Keuse has been actively collecting feedback from citizens regarding their preferences for the bridge's design and functionality. These community ideas are being passed along to the relevant parties to ensure that the final structure meets the needs and expectations of the public while the project continues to move forward through its necessary administrative steps.

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The city of Prestonsburg has been awarded a $976,000 grant for the construction of a pedestrian and bicycle bridge. This bridge will help connect the city's passage rail trail to the Middle Creek National Battlefield. Here is mayor of Prestonsburg, Rick Keuse, to tell us more. >> Well, in the background over my right shoulder here, you're going to see the rail-to-trail project, the Prestonsburg Passage Trail. And this grant is going to put a bridge from that trail over to the Middle Creek Battlefield for visitors. Not only will they be able to visit the trail, but they're going to be able to come over and visit here at the battlefield. Well, yeah, this this all started somewhere approximately we'll say approximately 5 years ago. One of our local history people, uh Frank Fitzpatrick, who has a lot to do with this property out here and with the battlefield, uh went to the Big Sandy Aid and and that's how this grant started and got in process. And it you know, it takes a while to get these things through. And of course, the the grant itself can only be used for what it is granted for, which is the bridge. And it's approximately $976,000, and there's a 20% matching grant through the through the city. So, it'll be a little over a million uh 1.1 million dollars. And the big thing for for us is it it brings our trails, uh it brings in connection with Archer Park because a lot of people get on the trail there. And of course, it connects you back to the city. And not only that, but it connects you here uh for the historical uh battlefield. There's you know, just a lot to do. And this bridge is big not only for uh for the city, but especially for the battlefield. And we certainly do appreciate, you know, Frank and Big Sandy's Aid uh Big Sandy Aid uh for their hard work. And of course, you know, the all those that were involved here with the city. >> Are you with a wireless carrier that doesn't get you? Well, maybe it's time to come back to someone who does. Switching to Appalachian Wireless has never been easier. Keep your number and keep it local and keep it connected because we are you. We are Appalachian [music] Wireless. >> There's no expected completion date. However, Hughes is passing along ideas given by citizens for the bridge. >> Uh we're not for sure right now. Uh of course, you know, you've got to start taking your bids and and you've got to find contractors and then the engineers have to design a temporary design out there right now. Uh I was kind of told uh that it is still in the works. So, they wanted to wait and see. Uh but we've had several citizens already mentioned to me how it would be great if it could be done this way or that way. So, I'm going to pass that information on and and see if that helps out in any way. >> Reporting from Mountain Top News, I'm Jackson Lucas.