Daviess County Fiscal Court voted 3-1 on Tuesday to commit $40,000 in local funds toward a feasibility study examining the potential construction of a new interchange on I-165. In a separate 3-1 vote, Fiscal Court also approved a resolution to seek state reimbursement for the funds. County Commissioner Janie Marksberry was the lone dissenting vote, saying she didn’t think an interchange is necessary and also claiming it’s an attempt to start an outer loop.
County Treasurer Jordan Johnson explained that the study, led locally by the Owensboro-Daviess County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), is supported by an 80/20 federal grant. With the study already receiving $160,000 in federal highway funds, the County was required to provide the final 20% of the funding.
Johnson said the County will seek $40,000 through the Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation (GRANT) Program to cover the County’s portion of the study’s cost.
“However, should we not be successful, sufficient budgeted funds remain to cover the cost,” Johnson said.”
While the study is still in its early stages, officials are particularly interested in assessing KY 142 as a potential location for the interchange. The decision to move forward with the study was met with mixed opinions among Fiscal Court members. Supporters of the project argue that an additional exit could improve traffic flow, increase access for emergency responders, and spur economic development in the area.
“There are a lot of wrecks between here and Ohio County on I-165,” Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen said. “Right now, if there’s an accident between the bypass and Ohio County, responders often have to backtrack miles to find an alternate route. This study will determine if there’s a better way to address that issue.”
Commissioner Larry Conder pointed to a specific example where it took 24 minutes for emergency crews to arrive at a fatal accident on I-165.
“When it comes to the amount of time it takes to address issues like this, it’s terrible,” Conder said. “A 24-minute delay, that’s unacceptable.”
Conder also pointed out the lack of access points along the stretch of I-165 under review.
“I’ve been told, though I don’t know the exact figures, that this stretch of road is one of the longest in the state without an intersection,” he said. “That is the biggest reason why this study is necessary.”
Marksberry pointed to the proposed “Public Safety Building” for the County on KY 231. Though the project is still in the architectural design stages, the plan includes the facility housing the County’s third paid fire department, the Sheriff’s patrol division, a backup 911 center, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) offices, and the Coroner’s office.
“With a new fire department in that location, emergency responders would have quick access to the bypass and I-165, so they will be able to get there very quickly if we do go on with this operational center,” she said.
County Commissioner Chris Castlen said that even if that facility comes to fruition, existing emergency services would also benefit from an interchange.
“We also have the Masonville Fire Department on the other side of Deer Valley which would also respond to emergencies in that area,” he said. “However, they would have to travel through the area that’s now very well-populated, plus the colleges and other things that are in between that and the bypass.”
Marksberry also cited concerns about the study being part of a grander plan for an outer loop.
“As most of you know, I am against an outer loop for our area, and I feel that this project would just be the beginning of that,” she said. “I can’t imagine that they would spend that kind of money on an interchange ramp just to pour out onto a two-lane country road.”
Charlie Castlen pushed back against those concerns.
“Commissioner Marksberry believes this is the first step toward an outer loop. She said the same thing about the improvements at Thruston Dermont, and honestly, it feels like anytime we want to improve a road, people say it’s part of some bigger plan,” Castlen said. “From my perspective, improving roads where needed just makes sense. The state has a long history of evaluating different needs.”
With funding secured, the study will now move forward through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, which will oversee the hiring of a consulting firm to conduct the research. Lovett estimated that it could take 6-8 months before the study begins and up to 18 months to complete, although there is no definitive timeline.
Once finished, the study’s findings will determine whether the interchange is a viable option. Even if recommended, officials cautioned that the actual construction process could take years.
“This is really about planning for the future,” Conder said. “The study itself will take a year to a year and a half. And then if they decide to do this, the state has to fund it. Even if we were all in agreement, it would take probably 8-10 years before they ever get a backhoe out there and even start doing it.”
Public hearings will be scheduled once the study is underway, allowing residents to provide input. Officials say the project’s impact on safety, emergency response times, and economic development will be key factors in determining whether to move forward with the interchange.
Marksberry questioned whether the funding could be used for other infrastructure projects within the county.
“There is planning money available for different studies,” MPO Director Tom Lovett explained. “However, this money was requested specifically for this study. There is a pool of money available to all MPOs.”
