The two-lane design of KY 79 between Irvington and Brandenburg has caused a great deal of traffic and safety issues in recent years. Due to this, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is moving forward on a KY 79 reconstruction project. If approved, the project will take place in central Meade County and will reconstruct the highway to modern standards.

The project will not only make the roadway profile less rolling, allowing for safer operation and improved stop distance, but also will involve a widening of the roadway for more lanes and even sidewalks in many areas. While such an undertaking will greatly benefit travelers of KY 79, many residents and businesses will have to surrender portions of their property to the government due to the expansion. This power, classified as “eminent domain”, is generally identified as the power of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to take private property for a public use without the owner’s consent, conditioned upon the payment of just compensation.

If you happen to be one of the residents or business owners at risk, our team at SBWP suggests you begin planning for legal action now. Although it is usually difficult to defeat the right of the Commonwealth to condemn the private property in question, an attorney can help tremendously in the legal battle surrounding just compensation.

Property owners should be wary of accepting the government’s initial compensation offer without consulting a professional. For more information on eminent domain, check out our previous blog, Eminent Domain: What Every Property Owner Should Know.