The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new three-lane section of U.S. 421 in Harlan County that provides safer travel and improved connectivity between southeastern Kentucky and Virginia.
[Above photo by KYTC]
The agency said this $32 million reconstruction project – started in March 2025 and completed ahead of schedule – added 1.5 miles of new roadway from the Kentucky/Virginia state line to the base of Virginia Mountain; providing a straighter, shorter route than the previous corridor.
KYTC added that, of the $32 million in state funding allocated for all phases of this project, approximately $22 million was dedicated to roadway construction, which the agency delivered using the design-build method.
The new roadway has three lanes, including a truck climbing lane, and other features designed to improve safety, enhance traffic flow and increase capacity for motorists traveling through the region, KYTC said.
“This project has been decades in the making,” said Governor Andy Beshear (D) in a statement. “We’re grateful to everyone who made today a reality and are excited to see this investment bring safer roads, faster travel times and increased economic opportunities to this region.”
“These improvements reflect [our] priority of better, safer highways for the families who rely on them to get where they need to go,” added Rebecca Goodman, KYTC secretary.
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