City of Jeffersontown, KY
NEWS RELEASE
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Office of the Governor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jay Blanton
502-564-2611
502-330-2802
Clay S. Foreman
502-267-8333
Governor, Mayor Announce $656,766 in
Bike, Pedestrian Improvements for Jeffersontown
JEFFERSONTOWN, Ky. (Sept. 26, 2008) – Gov.
Steve Beshear and Mayor Clay S. Foreman today
announced a $656,766 grant for bicycle and
pedestrian improvements that will improve access and
increase safety along Jeffersontown roads and streets.
“With gasoline hovering at four dollars a gallon, more
and more people are biking and walking instead of
getting behind the wheel for every trip they make,”
Beshear said. “These investments will provide better,
safer connections for cyclists and pedestrians.”
Jeffersontown sought funding for the Bluegrass
Industrial Park Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Loop through
the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and a
federal grant program focused on reducing congestion, improving air quality and enhancing transportation access.
“Companies like Humana are finding their investments in bike promotion help them recruit and retain young
professionals who value the environmental and exercise benefits of cycling,” Beshear said. “Safety is a big
motivating factor” for the improvements, Beshear said, but he also hopes it will encourage more riding, reduce traffic
and pollution and promote health in a state where 70 percent of people are overweight or obese”.
Jeffersontown Mayor Clay Foreman said, “Nearly 40,000 people work in the Bluegrass Industrial Park, and I hope
the trails will encourage workers to ride to work or bike during their lunch hour”.
City of Jeffersontown, KY
NEWS RELEASE
“Some of the work will start this winter, such as surveying and design, with construction in Spring/Summer 2009”,
said Matt Meunier, Assistant to the Mayor, who wrote the grant and will manage the project on behalf of the City.
Meunier went on to say, “This segment is Phase 5 of the implementation strategy identified in the Gaslight
Recreational & Workplace Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan. It will consist of a separated bike/pedestrian trail
along Bluegrass Parkway and Tucker Station Road with dedicated bike lanes and improved sidewalks along
Plantside Drive.”
Foreman went on to say that, “Over two years ago Jeffersontown embarked on a bold vision of crafting a
bicycling/pedestrian master plan, The Gaslight Recreational & Workplace Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan, thereby
connecting the neighborhoods to downtown Jeffersontown, City parks, commercial corridors and the workplace,
making Jeffersontown truly a bicycle and pedestrian friendly City.”
“The plan was developed to enhance the quality of life within Jeffersontown by providing alternative means to the
automobile and to encourage physical fitness, family exercise while creating a link between where people live, work
and play.” Foreman said.
Foreman’s vision for Jeffersontown is that it will become a place where people choose to make walking and riding a
bicycle part of their everyday lives. Where residents and visitors will be able to walk and ride with confidence, and
feel safe and secure throughout the community with minimal barriers to the mobility impaired.
Last November Mayor Foreman, along with Papa John’s Pizza and its founder John Schnatter, dedicated Phase 1
with the first annual “Bike/Walk Jeffersontown-Fitness First” Community Event.
Other phases currently being developed include:
Phase 1 — Taylorsville Road Corridor/Recreational Park Trail – a separated bicycle/pedestrian trail connecting the
Taylorsville Road commercial corridor to the Jeffersontown Youth Football Complex, Skyview Park, and the Civic
District (located at the public library, senior citizens center, Armstrong Gymnasium and historical museum) in
downtown Jeffersontown.
Phase 2 — Downtown Civic District/Historic Olmstead Double Stone Arch Bridge Trail – a separated
bicycle/pedestrian trail along Watterson Trail and Old Taylorsville Road connecting the Civic District (located at the
public library, senior citizens center, Armstrong Gymnasium and historical museum) in downtown Jeffersontown to
the Historic Olmstead Double Stone Arch Bridge.
Phase 3 — Historic Olmstead Double Stone Arch Bridge/Veteran’s Park Trail – a separated bicycle/pedestrian trail
connecting Old Taylorsville Road at the Historic Olmstead Double Stone Arch Bridge to the Veteran’s Memorial
Park. Enhancing the trails within the Veteran’s Memorial Park and accenting the unique characteristics of
Chenoweth Run Stream with pedestrian walking paths and a scenic photo opportunity overlook point for the Historic
Olmstead Double Stone Arch Bridge Restoration.
Phase 4 — The Henry Watterson/Historic Gaslight Square District Trail – a separated bicycle/pedestrian trail along
Watterson Trail from Stonybrook Drive to downtown Jeffersontown linking many of the City’s great neighborhoods
to the town center commercial/retail areas.