Lexington gets over $8 million in grants

Herald-Leader Staff Report

Mayor Jim Newberry's office announced Thursday that the city has received $8.4 million in federal grants for a variety of transportation projects.

The 9-mile Legacy Trail from downtown to the Kentucky Horse Park has received $2,721,700 in Transportation Enhancement money and is now fully funded, according to the Blue Grass Community Foundation.

The trail will run from the Isaac Memorial Art Garden at Midland Avenue and Third Street to the Kentucky Horse Park.

Artists' touch needed for Legacy Trail

The city also received several other grants for cycling projects. They include:

■ $408,700 for the Town Branch Trail Crossing to help cyclists safely cross Old Frankfort Pike at McConnell Springs;

■ $240,000 for bike lanes on Southland Drive.

■ $72,000 for bike lanes on University Drive, near the University of Kentucky campus.

■ $65,000 for the "Safe Routes to School" program, to improve safety for children who want to ride their bikes to school

The city and LexTran also received grants for other transportation-related projects, including:

■ $750,000 for street furniture for the South Limestone reconstruction project. "This money will help us make South Limestone attractive and pedestrian and bike friendly," Mayor Jim Newberry said in a statement.

■ $1 million to LexTran for an electronic fare payment system and smart cards; and

■ $150,000 for LexTran for an Art in Motion bus shelter.

■ $320,000 for fiber optic cable to improve control of traffic signal timing and keep signals operating during storms.