Trigg County Officials Seek Federal Funding for Regional Projects

Delegation meets with federal legislators to advocate for I-24 improvements and Land Between the Lakes road maintenance

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:20am

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A 15-person delegation from the Pennyrile Area Development District, including Trigg County Judge-Executive Stan Humphries, traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with federal legislators and secure funding for regional projects. The group discussed the need for improvements to Interstate 24, which runs from Paducah, Kentucky to Nashville, Tennessee, as well as ongoing maintenance challenges for the roads within the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

Why it matters

Interstate 24 is a critical transportation corridor for western Kentucky, connecting major cities and supporting economic activity. Securing federal funding for widening and upgrades is crucial as traffic along the route continues to increase. Additionally, the Land Between the Lakes has hundreds of miles of roads that require consistent maintenance, which can be a challenge for the limited resources of the national recreation area.

The details

The Trigg County delegation was part of a larger group representing the Pennyrile Area Development District, a regional planning organization. They met with Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, as well as Congressmen James Comer and Brett Guthrie, to advocate for federal funding for I-24 improvements and Land Between the Lakes road maintenance. Kentucky has already allocated $750,000 for an I-24 widening study, while Tennessee has committed $511 million to widen a portion of the interstate from four to six lanes. The Trigg County officials are waiting on the results of Kentucky's study to determine the next steps for the I-24 project. They also sought to correct misconceptions about the funding sources for maintaining the 420 miles of roads within the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

  • In 2024, Kentucky allocated $750,000 for an I-24 widening study.
  • Tennessee has already allocated $511 million to widen a portion of I-24 from four to six lanes, with construction expected to begin in 2033.

The players

Stan Humphries

Trigg County Judge-Executive and member of the 15-person delegation that traveled to Washington, D.C.

Mitch McConnell

U.S. Senator from Kentucky

Rand Paul

U.S. Senator from Kentucky

James Comer

U.S. Congressman representing Kentucky's 1st district

Brett Guthrie

U.S. Congressman representing Kentucky's 2nd district

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What they’re saying

“It's important to lay out projects that benefit Trigg County and western Kentucky to get a piece of the federal funding pie.”

— Stan Humphries, Trigg County Judge-Executive

“The widening [of I-24] is long overdue.”

— Stan Humphries, Trigg County Judge-Executive

What’s next

The Trigg County delegation is waiting to receive the results of Kentucky's I-24 widening study to determine the next steps for that project.

The takeaway

Securing federal funding for critical regional infrastructure like Interstate 24 and the Land Between the Lakes road network is an ongoing priority for local leaders in western Kentucky. Their advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. aim to ensure their communities receive their fair share of federal investment to support economic growth and quality of life.