Palmer was selected by the KY Transportation Cabinet to verify and refine the corridor, perform a Phase I Design, and prepare an EIS for 33 miles of new interstate in the mountainous landscape between Pikeville, KY, and the King Coal Highway in WV.
An extensive public involvement program was utilized throughout the project because the 2-mile wide planning corridor was eventually reduced to 4 study alignments for Phase I Design and EIS development. The primary focus of the public involvement effort was the creation of a 40-member advisory team that discussed all aspects of the project before each decision point was made in the project’s progression.