Boone County has selected a construction company to build out a section of its growing multi-use path network.
The county has an extensive network of multi-use paths designed for pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorized travelers. The paths are typically found beside roads or within parks and green space corridors.
The paths provide dedicated space for non-motorized travel, reducing conflicts with vehicles on county roadways. Moreover, the paths are a public amenity that serve as recreational assets for Boone County.
Cincinnati-based Palmer Engineering, a consulting engineering and surveying firm specializing in land development, was awarded a contract to design and construct a multi-use path along Conrad Lane from KY-237 and Bullittsville Road.
Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore said the new path will connect several key public amenities around the Burlington area, including the fairgrounds and England Idlewild Park.
“When you think of the fact that from here in Burlington, the fairgrounds, England Idlewild Park, this project will interconnect with that spine of multi-use path, which actually line up at the overpass and continues on down Pleasant Valley and Camp Ernst,” Moore said.
Boone County Engineer Rob Franxman stated that in April of this year, the fiscal court entered into an agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to receive federal Surface Transportation Block Grant, or SNK, funds to contribute toward the project.
SNK funds are typically utilized by government agencies to support transportation enhancement projects, like building sidewalks or curbs. According to the agreement, Boone County will receive $150,000 reimbursement from KYTC for the project, and the county must contribute a 50% match of the total costs billed.
“The fiscal court approved an MOA (memorandum of understanding) with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to accept SNK funding for design and construction of the multi-use path along Conrad Lane between KY-237 and Bullittsville Road,” he said. “Palmer Engineering has been selected from the county’s list of pre-approved design consultants, and public works staff has been working with them to develop a scope of work for the project.”
According to Franxman, the design services contract is for $325,825, with the total project cost estimated to be around $2.7 million. Boone County will cover 50% of the overall cost, with grants from KYTC covering the remaining amount. Additionally, the project’s costs are already included in the county’s budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Ultimately, Moore said the plan is to create a network of multi-use paths that span throughout Boone County.
“The plan is you’re seeing these missing components being filled in that will create an entire network of multi-use paths connecting our parks to various subdivisions, communities, industrial areas and other things,” he said.
